Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$99,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$65,132 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$54,585 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $119,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $91,630▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $152,320▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $190,400▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,132▲ | $63,978 | +$1,154 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,969 | $99,730▲ | -$16,761 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,585▲ | $53,618 | +$967 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 78,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($65,132 vs $63,978 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.