Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$102,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$58,960 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$49,412 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000▲ | $95,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540▲ | $73,150 | +$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560▲ | $121,600 | +$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200▲ | $152,000 | +$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,960 | $76,613▲ | -$17,653 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,483 | $87,780▲ | -$2,297 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,412 | $70,790▲ | -$21,378 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 57,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $7,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,960 vs $76,613 equivalent). Austin, 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.