Construction Manager Pay

San Diego vs Oxnard: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

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

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAOxnard, CA
Median Salary$137,766$135,170
Hourly Rate$66.23$64.99
Entry Level (P10)$85,104$86,294
25th Percentile$106,016$106,398
75th Percentile$168,854$168,740
Top Earner (P90)$215,476$199,084
Total Employed3,800580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($137,766) and Oxnard ($135,170) construction manager salaries.San DiegoOxnardMedian Salary$137,766$135,170Entry Level (P10)$85,104$86,294Top Earner (P90)$215,476$199,084US 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 San Diego and Oxnard 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 San Diego spans $130,372,Oxnard spans $112,790. San Diego has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

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

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

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

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

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Oxnard if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in San Diego grew 31.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Oxnard over the same period.

San Diego, CA

+31.9%

$101,020 (2019) → $133,210 (2025)

Oxnard, CA

+22.4%

$106,820 (2021) → $130,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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 San Diego and Oxnard?

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

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

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

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

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