Expert Project Manager salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 18 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes El Cajon, Bonita, Poway, San Deigo, San Marcos.
Also listed as: Project Management Specialist, Project Coordinator
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $147,100 |
| 25th | $162,247 |
| 50th (median) | $187,700 |
| 75th | $193,750 |
| 90th | $219,790 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median expert Project Manager salary of $187,700 is worth about $167,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Project Management Specialists in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $117,460 in May 2025 (10,740 employed). The H-1B median here is $187,700, 60% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Intuit | $185,400 | 10 |
| CoreDux | too few | 4 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 3 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $109,500 | 31 |
| Senior · Level III | $124,000 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $187,700 | 18 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $94,702 | $109,500 | 31 |
| Senior · Level III | $116,126 | $124,000 | 15 |
| Expert · Level IV | $135,408 | $187,700 | 18 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.