Social and Community Service Manager Salary in San Diego, CA
Social and Community Service Managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $79,770 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,722 take-home, or $5,060 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median social and community service manager salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,719
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,946
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,157
- California income tax$3,189
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,037
- Take-home pay$60,722
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Social and Community Service Manager pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,490 | $26.68 | $44,666 | $3,722 |
| 25th percentile | $66,500 | $31.97 | $52,640 | $4,387 |
| Median (50th) | $79,770 | $38.35 | $60,722 | $5,060 |
| 75th percentile | $103,850 | $49.93 | $75,110 | $6,259 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,380 | $64.13 | $92,523 | $7,710 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,770 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 social and community service manager's $60,722 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,271 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 1.4× the national concentration of social and community service manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for social and community service managers, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #14 of 14 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $101,240 | $74,415 | $68,344 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $100,570 | $74,688 | $66,352 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $89,990 | $67,542 | $64,435 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $76,780 | $62,845 | $63,718 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $80,480 | $65,448 | $63,486 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $80,810 | $63,199 | $61,625 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $78,870 | $60,844 | $60,809 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $85,430 | $64,879 | $59,925 |
| 14 | San Diego, CA | $79,770 | $60,722 | $54,271 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 14 metros →
About the job: social and community service managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization’s budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.2% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Social and Community Service Manager salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $93,410
- Los Angeles, CA — $87,100
- Riverside, CA — $79,570
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social and community service manager make in San Diego, CA?
The median social and community service manager salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $79,770 a year, or about $38.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,500 and $103,850.
What is a social and community service manager’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $79,770 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $60,722 a year ($5,060 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,226 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a social and community service manager?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $80,390. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,271 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #14 of 14 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a social and community service 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) — 49% of a median social and community service manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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