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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Cost Manager in California is $143,566 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Senior Cost Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Cost Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $151,765 | $12,647 | $2,919 | $73 |
| Average | $143,566 | $11,964 | $2,761 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $129,552 | $10,796 | $2,491 | $62 |
Linesight - San Francisco, CA
Rider Levett Bucknall - San Francisco, CA
Turner & Townsend - San Diego, CA
Turner & Townsend - Menlo Park, CA
A Senior Cost 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 Senior Cost 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 |
|---|---|
| Cost Acco... Level Senior Cost Manager | $89,124 |
| Cost Acco... Level Senior Cost Manager | $105,797 |
| Cost Acco... Level Senior Cost Manager | $122,475 |
| Cost Acco... Level Senior Cost Manager | $119,850 |
| Senior Co... Level Senior Cost Manager | $142,963 |
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 Senior Cost 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 Senior Cost Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Senior Cost Manager positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Cost Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $172,280 | $83.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Senior Cost 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 | $151,765 | $12,647 | $2,919 | $73 |
| Average | $143,566 | $11,964 | $2,761 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $129,552 | $10,796 | $2,491 | $62 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Cost Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Turner & Townsend
San Francisco, CA
Turner & Townsend | San Francisco, CA
Senior Cost Manager / Estimator- EV Construction Management. Turner & Townsend are looking for an experienced Senior Cost Manager/Estimator to act as the k... more
8 Days Ago
Turner & Townsend
San Francisco, CA
Turner & Townsend | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 ... more
8 Days Ago
Leland Saylor Associates
Los Angeles, CA
Leland Saylor Associates | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Leland Saylor Associates. is seeking an experienced. Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor. to deliver... more
7 Days Ago
Turner & Townsend
San Jose, CA
Turner & Townsend | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 ... more
7 Days Ago
Turner & Townsend
Los Angeles, CA
Turner & Townsend | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 ... more
7 Days Ago
Turner & Townsend
San Jose, CA
Turner & Townsend | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 ... more
8 Days Ago
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