Construction Manager Pay

Los Angeles vs San Buenaventura: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$136,183
$65.48/hr
San Buenaventura, CA
$131,816
$63.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CASan Buenaventura, CA
Median Salary$136,183$131,816
Hourly Rate$65.48$63.38
Entry Level (P10)$78,320$83,424
25th Percentile$104,278$103,796
75th Percentile$169,929$168,725
Top Earner (P90)$219,592$204,314
Total Employed10,12019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($136,183) and San Buenaventura ($131,816) construction manager salaries.Los AngelesSan BuenaventuraMedian Salary$136,183$131,816Entry Level (P10)$78,320$83,424Top Earner (P90)$219,592$204,314US Median $118,923

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and San Buenaventura is $4,367 (3.31%). 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 Los Angeles spans $141,272,San Buenaventura spans $120,890. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$78,320
P25$104,278
Median$136,183
P75$169,929
P90 (Top)$219,592
San Buenaventura
P10 (Entry)$83,424
P25$103,796
Median$131,816
P75$168,725
P90 (Top)$204,314

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($119,915 effective) pays 2.89% more than San Buenaventura ($116,548 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $136,183
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $119,915
San Buenaventura
Nominal: $131,816
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $116,548

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose San Buenaventura if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Los Angeles grew 11.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -17.3% growth in San Buenaventura over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+11.5%

$118,110 (2019) → $131,680 (2025)

San Buenaventura, CA

+-17.3%

$154,206 (2024) → $127,457 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Los Angeles or San Buenaventura?

Los Angeles has a higher median construction manager salary at $136,183/year, compared to San Buenaventura at $131,816/year — a difference of $4,367 (3.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and San Buenaventura?

Los Angeles construction managers earn $65.48/hr while San Buenaventura hygienists earn $63.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to San Buenaventura as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and San Buenaventura. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $119,915, San Buenaventura = $116,548), job availability (10,120 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Los Angeles vs San Buenaventura?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $78,320 in Los Angeles and $83,424 in San Buenaventura. The San Buenaventura 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