Construction Manager Pay

Oxnard vs San Diego: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

Oxnard, CA
$135,170
$64.99/hr
San Diego, CA
$137,766
$66.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOxnard, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$135,170$137,766
Hourly Rate$64.99$66.23
Entry Level (P10)$86,294$85,104
25th Percentile$106,398$106,016
75th Percentile$168,740$168,854
Top Earner (P90)$199,084$215,476
Total Employed5803,800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oxnard ($135,170) and San Diego ($137,766) construction manager salaries.OxnardSan DiegoMedian Salary$135,170$137,766Entry Level (P10)$86,294$85,104Top Earner (P90)$199,084$215,476US Median $118,923

Verdict

San Diego, CA offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oxnard.

The salary gap between Oxnard and San Diego is $2,596 (1.92%). San Diego's median is +15.84% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oxnard spans $112,790,San Diego spans $130,372. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Oxnard
P10 (Entry)$86,294
P25$106,398
Median$135,170
P75$168,740
P90 (Top)$199,084
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$85,104
P25$106,016
Median$137,766
P75$168,854
P90 (Top)$215,476

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($123,130 effective) pays 0.69% more than Oxnard ($122,288 effective).

Oxnard
Nominal: $135,170
CoL Index: 110.534
Adjusted: $122,288
San Diego
Nominal: $137,766
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $123,130

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oxnard if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,766/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($215,476)
  • Larger job market (3,800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $123,130)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Oxnard grew 22.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 31.9% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Oxnard, CA

+22.4%

$106,820 (2021) → $130,700 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+31.9%

$101,020 (2019) → $133,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Oxnard or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median construction manager salary at $137,766/year, compared to Oxnard at $135,170/year — a difference of $2,596 (1.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oxnard and San Diego?

Oxnard construction managers earn $64.99/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $66.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oxnard to San Diego as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oxnard and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oxnard = $122,288, San Diego = $123,130), job availability (580 vs 3,800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Oxnard vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $86,294 in Oxnard and $85,104 in San Diego. The Oxnard 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