Construction Manager Pay

San Francisco vs Visalia: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$171,708
$82.55/hr
Visalia, CA
$107,815
$51.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVisalia, CA
Median Salary$171,708$107,815
Hourly Rate$82.55$51.83
Entry Level (P10)$104,361$70,512
25th Percentile$131,385$85,404
75th Percentile$195,205$138,035
Top Earner (P90)$232,819$178,244
Total Employed5,160230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($171,708) and Visalia ($107,815) construction manager salaries.San FranciscoVisaliaMedian Salary$171,708$107,815Entry Level (P10)$104,361$70,512Top Earner (P90)$232,819$178,244US Median $118,923

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Visalia is $63,893 (59.26%). San Francisco's median is +44.39% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $128,458,Visalia spans $107,732. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$104,361
P25$131,385
Median$171,708
P75$195,205
P90 (Top)$232,819
Visalia
P10 (Entry)$70,512
P25$85,404
Median$107,815
P75$138,035
P90 (Top)$178,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($148,520 effective) pays 37.51% more than Visalia ($108,004 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $171,708
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $148,520
Visalia
Nominal: $107,815
CoL Index: 99.825
Adjusted: $108,004

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($171,708/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($232,819)
  • Larger job market (5,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,520)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Visalia if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in San Francisco grew 30.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.0% growth in Visalia over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+30.4%

$127,370 (2019) → $166,030 (2025)

Visalia, CA

+42.0%

$73,430 (2019) → $104,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: San Francisco or Visalia?

San Francisco has a higher median construction manager salary at $171,708/year, compared to Visalia at $107,815/year — a difference of $63,893 (59.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Visalia?

San Francisco construction managers earn $82.55/hr while Visalia hygienists earn $51.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Visalia as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Visalia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $148,520, Visalia = $108,004), job availability (5,160 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in San Francisco vs Visalia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $104,361 in San Francisco and $70,512 in Visalia. The San Francisco 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