Home / Job Salaries / City Manager Salary in California

City Manager Salary in California

Explore city manager salaries in California including median pay, entry-level and senior compensation, and how it compares to the national average.

Median Salary in CA
$197,274
Monthly: $16,440
Biweekly: $7,587
Entry Level
$116,485
Monthly: $9,707
Biweekly: $4,480
Senior Level
$272,425
Monthly: $22,702
Biweekly: $10,478
Job Growth
14%
Projected 10-year growth

Salary Breakdown

Pay PeriodEntry LevelMedianSenior
Annual$116,485$197,274$272,425
Monthly$9,707$16,440$22,702
Biweekly$4,480$7,587$10,478
Weekly$2,240$3,794$5,239
Hourly$56$95$131

CA vs National Comparison

National Median
$154,120
CA Median
$197,274
Difference
+$43,154
Multiplier
1.28x
National
CA

About This Career

Oversee city government operations and administration.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field

Key Skills

Public AdministrationBudget ManagementLeadershipStrategic Planning

Compare States

See how California compares to other states for city manager salaries:

TXCANYFLCO

Compare Jobs

Compare salaries for other government & public service jobs in California:

Police OfficerFirefighterSocial WorkerUrban Planner

Explore Related Data for a City Manager in California

Dig into every angle of a city manager salary ($197,274 median) in California — take-home pay, affordability, taxes, mortgage, retirement, and city-level data.

Take-home pay on $197,274 in California

Federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare — what you keep after taxes.

What you can afford on $197,274 in California

Home price, rent, and monthly spending guidelines for this income.

Tax brackets on $197,274 in California

Exactly which federal and state brackets your salary crosses.

$800,000 mortgage in California

Monthly payment, property tax, and total interest at typical rates.

Retirement at 30 earning $200,000

Savings benchmarks and projections for your income level.

City Manager salary in Los Angeles

Drill down to city-level salary data for Los Angeles, California.

Related Tools

Salary CalculatorNet Worth CalculatorMortgage Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median city manager salary in California?

The median city manager salary in California is $197,274, compared to a national median of $154,120.

What is the entry-level city manager salary in California?

Entry-level city manager positions in California typically pay around $116,485 annually.

What is the senior city manager salary in California?

Senior city manager professionals in California earn around $272,425 annually.

What is the job growth outlook for city manager?

The projected 10-year job growth outlook for city manager positions is 14%, which indicates strong demand in this field.

What education is needed to become a city manager?

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field

Related Articles

How to Build Wealth in Your 20sRoth IRA vs 401(k) in 2026FIRE Movement 2026