Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$99,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$65,132 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,585 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000▲ | $95,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230▲ | $73,150 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720▲ | $121,600 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400▲ | $152,000 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,132 | $76,613▲ | -$11,481 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,969 | $87,780▲ | -$4,811 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,585 | $70,790▲ | -$16,205 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 57,000 | -21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,132 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.