Construction Manager Pay

Apple Valley vs Los Angeles: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Apple Valley, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apple Valley, CA
$129,661
$62.34/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$136,183
$65.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApple Valley, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$129,661$136,183
Hourly Rate$62.34$65.48
Entry Level (P10)$75,203$78,320
25th Percentile$103,663$104,278
75th Percentile$165,965$169,929
Top Earner (P90)$200,974$219,592
Total Employed1910,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apple Valley ($129,661) and Los Angeles ($136,183) construction manager salaries.Apple ValleyLos AngelesMedian Salary$129,661$136,183Entry Level (P10)$75,203$78,320Top Earner (P90)$200,974$219,592US Median $118,923

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Apple Valley.

The salary gap between Apple Valley and Los Angeles is $6,522 (5.03%). Los Angeles's median is +14.51% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apple Valley spans $125,771,Los Angeles spans $141,272. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Apple Valley
P10 (Entry)$75,203
P25$103,663
Median$129,661
P75$165,965
P90 (Top)$200,974
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$78,320
P25$104,278
Median$136,183
P75$169,929
P90 (Top)$219,592

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($119,915 effective) pays 4.60% more than Apple Valley ($114,643 effective).

Apple Valley
Nominal: $129,661
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $114,643
Los Angeles
Nominal: $136,183
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $119,915

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apple Valley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,183/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($219,592)
  • Larger job market (10,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $119,915)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Apple Valley grew -17.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Apple Valley, CA

+-17.3%

$151,684 (2024) → $125,373 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+11.5%

$118,110 (2019) → $131,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Apple Valley or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median construction manager salary at $136,183/year, compared to Apple Valley at $129,661/year — a difference of $6,522 (5.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apple Valley and Los Angeles?

Apple Valley construction managers earn $62.34/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $65.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apple Valley to Los Angeles as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apple Valley and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apple Valley = $114,643, Los Angeles = $119,915), job availability (19 vs 10,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Apple Valley vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $75,203 in Apple Valley and $78,320 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MJ

Written by Michael Johnson, MS, CCM

Career Analyst

Michael has 10 years of experience in construction management. He specializes in project scheduling and cost control. He works with a mid-sized general contracting firm.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, BS, PMPData verified by Rajesh Kumar, BS, CCM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.42% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Michael Johnson, MS, CCM, a licensed construction manager with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov