Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in San Diego, CA
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $202,810 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $133,728 take-home, or $11,144 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$37,408
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,966
- California income tax$14,632
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,637
- Take-home pay$133,728
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $134,660 | $64.74 | $93,262 | $7,772 |
| 25th percentile | $164,520 | $79.10 | $110,506 | $9,209 |
| Median (50th) | $202,810 | $97.50 | $133,728 | $11,144 |
| 75th percentile | $224,740 | $108.05 | $147,006 | $12,250 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $283,130+ | $136.12 | $178,825 | $14,902 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $202,810 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median architectural and engineering manager's $133,728 take-home pay has the buying power of $119,521 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA has 1.5× the national concentration of architectural and engineering manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for architectural and engineering managers, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #55 of 82 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $212,820 | $147,979 | $162,203 |
| 2 | Albuquerque, NM | $215,120 | $150,853 | $157,885 |
| 3 | Manchester, NH | $212,050 | $157,802 | $149,353 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $234,590 | $152,428 | $138,040 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $204,340 | $152,123 | $136,884 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $203,420 | $143,204 | $136,123 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
| 55 | San Diego, CA | $202,810 | $133,728 | $119,521 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 82 metros →
Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $234,590
- San Francisco, CA — $221,580
- Sacramento, CA — $193,970
- Los Angeles, CA — $190,900
- Riverside, CA — $172,600
- Oxnard, CA — $179,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in San Diego, CA?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $202,810 a year, or about $97.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $164,520 and $224,740.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $202,810 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $133,728 a year ($11,144 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $17,268 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $119,521 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #55 of 82 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
- Chief Executive — $238,440
- Natural Sciences Manager — $207,200
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $206,740
- Marketing Manager — $174,840
- Financial Manager — $174,210
- Managers, All Other — $169,240
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $163,200
- Human Resources Manager — $163,190
- Purchasing Manager — $158,620
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- Training and Development Manager — $148,860
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $138,080