Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$99,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$65,132 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$54,585 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $105,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $80,850▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $134,400▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $168,000▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,132▲ | $64,815 | +$317 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,969 | $92,169▲ | -$9,200 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,585 | $56,894▲ | -$2,309 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 63,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($65,132 vs $64,815 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.