IT manager pay in San Diego, CA
IT managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a typical $206,740 a year. The middle half earn $165,460 to $262,210, and the top 10% earn more than $304,530. About 7,250 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Computer and Information Systems Managers, SOC 11-3021).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $127,840 |
| 25th percentile | $165,460 |
| Median (typical) | $206,740 |
| 75th percentile | $262,210 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $304,530 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 6 of 50 large metros for IT managers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $206,740, a single filer keeps about $138,900 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Diego are 12% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $124,100 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Diego No. 24 of 50 large metros for IT managers after cost of living.
Where IT managers’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$291,660 typical · worth $169k
- Seattle, WA$214,680 typical · worth $144k
- Boston, MA$214,960 typical · worth $138k
- Denver, CO$203,340 typical · worth $135k
All 50 metros for IT managers →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among IT managers in San Diego. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.) 2 employers here filed pay above the typical rate in government filings; your check shows how many pay more than you.
Common questions
How much does a it manager make in San Diego, CA?
The typical (median) it manager in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earns $206,740 a year. The middle half earn between $165,460 and $262,210, and the top 10% earn more than $304,530. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a it manager in San Diego?
Anything above $206,740 pays more than half of IT managers in San Diego. $262,210 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $304,530 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a it manager in San Diego take home after taxes?
At the typical $206,740, a single filer keeps about $138,900 a year ($11,570 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 12% above the US average, that buys what $124,100 would in a typical US city.
Where do IT managers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical it manager pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, Boston, MA. San Diego, CA ranks No. 24.
More: IT manager pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Diego, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.