Construction Manager Pay

San Diego vs West Sacramento: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

San Diego, CA
$137,766
$66.23/hr
West Sacramento, CA
$128,492
$61.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Median Salary$137,766$128,492
Hourly Rate$66.23$61.77
Entry Level (P10)$85,104$81,812
25th Percentile$106,016$101,334
75th Percentile$168,854$164,470
Top Earner (P90)$215,476$199,163
Total Employed3,8009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($137,766) and West Sacramento ($128,492) construction manager salaries.San DiegoWest SacramentoMedian Salary$137,766$128,492Entry Level (P10)$85,104$81,812Top Earner (P90)$215,476$199,163US Median $118,923

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Diego and West Sacramento is $9,274 (7.22%). 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,West Sacramento spans $117,351. 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
West Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$81,812
P25$101,334
Median$128,492
P75$164,470
P90 (Top)$199,163

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($123,130 effective) pays 8.38% more than West Sacramento ($113,609 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $137,766
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $123,130
West Sacramento
Nominal: $128,492
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,609

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 West Sacramento 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 -17.3% growth in West Sacramento over the same period.

San Diego, CA

+31.9%

$101,020 (2019) → $133,210 (2025)

West Sacramento, CA

+-17.3%

$150,318 (2024) → $124,243 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: San Diego or West Sacramento?

San Diego has a higher median construction manager salary at $137,766/year, compared to West Sacramento at $128,492/year — a difference of $9,274 (7.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Diego and West Sacramento?

San Diego construction managers earn $66.23/hr while West Sacramento hygienists earn $61.77/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and West Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $123,130, West Sacramento = $113,609), job availability (3,800 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $85,104 in San Diego and $81,812 in West Sacramento. The San Diego 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