General Contractor Salaries in California
How Much Does a General Contractor Make in California?
Updated March 01, 2025
As of March 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of General Contractor in California is $130,752.
While Salary.com is seeing that General Contractor salary in CA can go up to $169,773
or down to $100,292, but most earn between $114,808 and $151,177.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors,
including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to General Contractor
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Similar Job Salaries to General Contractor by Company
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| Company | average base salary in (usd) | range |
|---|---|---|
|
Blueprint Hires
General contractor
|
$87,895/yr
|
RANGE: $79,101 - $96,689
|
|
Tampa Auto Parts
Personal Assistant General Contractor
|
$71,113/yr
|
RANGE: $63,071 - $79,155
|
|
Mark Wilson Construction Co., Inc.
Estimator - General Contractor
|
$111,638/yr
|
RANGE: $100,802 - $122,475
|
|
CTH Recruiting
General Contractor Project Lead
|
$131,767/yr
|
RANGE: $117,321 - $146,214
|
|
Pinhero Construction Inc.
Estimator - General Contractor
|
$90,099/yr
|
RANGE: $81,525 - $98,673
|
|
ResourceMFG
GENERAL STORES COORDINATOR CONTRACTOR
|
$112,293/yr
|
RANGE: $100,044 - $124,542
|
|
Safdie Rabines Architects
Private General Contractor
|
$81,852/yr
|
RANGE: $74,207 - $89,497
|
|
CM CORP
General Contractor Operations Director
|
$122,328/yr
|
RANGE: $109,266 - $135,390
|
|
Jobot
Estimator, General Contractor
|
$91,349/yr
|
RANGE: $82,657 - $100,042
|
|
CyberCoders
Assistant Corporate Controller - General Contractor
|
$191,373/yr
|
RANGE: $172,035 - $210,710
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For General Contractor Jobs in California
It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States.
There are some cities where a General Contractor can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living.
Below is the top cities list for General Contractor job salaries in California.
Some cities can pay higher salaries for General Contractor jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for General Contractor positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the General Contractor salary is higher than other cities in California.
San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont.
The General Contractor salary is $148,771 in San Jose,
which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' General Contractor salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a General Contractor in California is $130,752,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for General Contractor jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara.
General Contractor jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| San Jose | $148,771 | $12,398 | $2,861 | $72 |
| Santa Clara | $148,771 | $12,398 | $2,861 | $72 |
| Fremont | $148,534 | $12,378 | $2,856 | $71 |
| San Francisco | $148,178 | $12,348 | $2,850 | $71 |
| Daly City | $148,178 | $12,348 | $2,850 | $71 |
| Berkeley | $144,622 | $12,052 | $2,781 | $70 |
| Oakland | $144,622 | $12,052 | $2,781 | $70 |
| Hayward | $144,385 | $12,032 | $2,777 | $69 |
| Antioch | $136,561 | $11,380 | $2,626 | $66 |
| Vallejo | $133,360 | $11,113 | $2,565 | $64 |
What Does a General Contractor Do?
There are many, many examples of construction companies that serve as the general contractor on some projects and jobs (when they are hired directly by the owner), while they are subcontractors on other jobs (when they are hired by someone other than the owner).
Updated December 02, 2021
General contractors who conduct work for government agencies are often referred to as "prime contractors".
Updated November 14, 2021
If you are undertaking a large construction or renovation project, and you can’t assume any of the tasks on your own, going with a general contractor might be the best option for your project.
Updated November 05, 2021
Some general contractors charge the cost of materials and labor plus 15% to 20%; others bid a flat fee for the entire project.
Updated December 22, 2021
But if you’re completely overhauling the space—changing the layout and adding new elements—a general contractor is the way to go.
Updated December 21, 2021
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a General Contractor Salaries
What is the average of a General Contractor in California?
The General Contractor salary range is from $114,808 to $151,177, and the average General Contractor salary is $130,752/year in California.
The General Contractor's salary will change in different locations.
Which location pays the highest General Contractor salary in the United States?
The General Contractor salary in San Jose, CA is $148,771
which is the highest in the US.
What kinds of reasons will influence the General Contractor's salary?
Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary.
Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of General Contractor.
What is the growth rate of the General Contractor's salary?
If you are thinking of becoming a General Contractor or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a General Contractor.
