As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Section Manager in California is $212,260 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $102.
However, a Section Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Section Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $241,651 | $20,138 | $4,647 | $116 |
| Average | $212,260 | $17,688 | $4,082 | $102 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,613 | $15,551 | $3,589 | $90 |
University of California, San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group - Moreno Valley, CA
Department of Veterans Affairs - Fresno, CA
Department of Veterans Affairs - Fresno, CA
A Section Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Section Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Section Manager | $194,314 |
| Intermediate Level Section Manager | $196,624 |
| Senior Level Section Manager | $198,549 |
| Specialist Level Section Manager | $202,399 |
| Expert Level Section Manager | $206,249 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Section Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Section Manager roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Section Manager positions in Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Section Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Services | $233,486 | $112.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Section Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $241,651 | $20,138 | $4,647 | $116 |
| Average | $212,260 | $17,688 | $4,082 | $102 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,613 | $15,551 | $3,589 | $90 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Section Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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