Project Management Specialist salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A project management specialist in California earns a median of $120,910 a year ($58.13/hour equivalent), 18.2% above the national median of $102,320. California ranks #5 of 51 states. About 114,380 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $85,319 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $3,281 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,650.38
- Federal income tax
- −$683.47
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$288.32
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$67.43
- California income tax
- −$269.22
- CA SDI
- −$60.46
- Take-home pay
- $3,281.49
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $120,910
- Federal
- $17,770
- FICA
- $9,250
- State + local
- $8,571
- Net
- $85,319
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $124,160 |
| #2 | New Jersey | $122,980 |
| #3 | Delaware | $122,190 |
| #4 | New York | $121,040 |
| #5 | California | $120,910 |
| #49 | Mississippi | $78,870 |
| #50 | Hawaii | $78,000 |
| #51 | Arkansas | $77,170 |
See the national project management specialist salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Project Management Specialists (SOC 13-1082), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in California?
The median salary is $120,910 a year and the average is $124,430 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for project management specialists?
California ranks #5 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 18% above the national median of $102,320.
What is $120,910 after taxes in California?
About $85,319 a year ($3,281 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.