Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$87,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$81,308 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$75,129 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $119,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $91,630▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $152,320▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $190,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,308▲ | $63,978 | +$17,330 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,388 | $99,730▲ | -$19,342 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,129▲ | $53,618 | +$21,511 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 78,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($81,308 vs $63,978 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.