Project Cost Manager Jobs in California
Project Cost Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in construction, infrastructure, defense, and technology development across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Large-scale employers such as Bechtel, Turner Construction, and AECOM maintain substantial California operations and consistently hire project cost managers at levels from associate to senior program lead. The most in-demand specialties are construction cost control, earned value management, and capital program forecasting. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Project Cost Manager jobs
Project Cost Analyst
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Position Summary
The Project Cost Analyst supports Project Managers and department leadership by monitoring project job costs, labor budgets, timesheets, and daily reports. The primary focus of this position is to ensure labor is accurately charged to each project, project costs are properly tracked, and potential budget overruns are identified early.
The Project Cost Analyst will compare budgeted versus actual labor hours and costs, review project progress against labor expenditures, investigate discrepancies, and provide Project Managers with timely information so corrective action can be taken before a project exceeds its labor or job-cost budget.
This role serves as an important cost-control checkpoint, helping ensure Pinnacle's projects remain financially on track while providing Project Managers and leadership with accurate and timely visibility into project performance.
Key Performance Expectations
Success in this position will be measured by the ability to:
- Identify potential labor overruns early.
- Maintain accurate and timely labor tracking.
- Ensure timesheets and dailies are complete and consistent.
- Reduce incorrect project labor allocations.
- Provide Project Managers with timely information needed to manage their labor budgets.
- Maintain effective communication and follow-through when discrepancies are identified.
- Help improve overall project cost control and profitability.
Qualifications
- Previous administrative, project coordination, accounting, construction, or project support experience preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies.
- Comfortable working with labor hours, budgets, reports, and basic financial information.
- Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
- Ability to manage multiple active projects and priorities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate concerns professionally with field employees, supervisors, and Project Managers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and other business software.
- Experience with project management, construction management, ERP, or job-costing systems preferred.
- Experience with D-Tools or similar project management/job-costing software is a plus.
Skills & Competencies
- Labor Cost Tracking
- Project Budget Monitoring
- Timesheet Auditing
- Daily Report Review
- Job Costing
- Data Accuracy
- Variance Identification
- Project Administration
- Organization and Follow-Through
- Problem Solving
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Microsoft Excel
Reporting Relationship
The Project Cost Analyst works closely with Project Managers, Department Managers, Accounting, Payroll, and field leadership to ensure project labor is accurately recorded and effectively managed.
Pay: $28.00 - $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Military leave
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Project Cost Analyst
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Position Summary
The Project Cost Analyst supports Project Managers and department leadership by monitoring project job costs, labor budgets, timesheets, and daily reports. The primary focus of this position is to ensure labor is accurately charged to each project, project costs are properly tracked, and potential budget overruns are identified early.
The Project Cost Analyst will compare budgeted versus actual labor hours and costs, review project progress against labor expenditures, investigate discrepancies, and provide Project Managers with timely information so corrective action can be taken before a project exceeds its labor or job-cost budget.
This role serves as an important cost-control checkpoint, helping ensure Pinnacle's projects remain financially on track while providing Project Managers and leadership with accurate and timely visibility into project performance.
Key Performance Expectations
Success in this position will be measured by the ability to:
- Identify potential labor overruns early.
- Maintain accurate and timely labor tracking.
- Ensure timesheets and dailies are complete and consistent.
- Reduce incorrect project labor allocations.
- Provide Project Managers with timely information needed to manage their labor budgets.
- Maintain effective communication and follow-through when discrepancies are identified.
- Help improve overall project cost control and profitability.
Qualifications
- Previous administrative, project coordination, accounting, construction, or project support experience preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies.
- Comfortable working with labor hours, budgets, reports, and basic financial information.
- Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
- Ability to manage multiple active projects and priorities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate concerns professionally with field employees, supervisors, and Project Managers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and other business software.
- Experience with project management, construction management, ERP, or job-costing systems preferred.
- Experience with D-Tools or similar project management/job-costing software is a plus.
Skills & Competencies
- Labor Cost Tracking
- Project Budget Monitoring
- Timesheet Auditing
- Daily Report Review
- Job Costing
- Data Accuracy
- Variance Identification
- Project Administration
- Organization and Follow-Through
- Problem Solving
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Microsoft Excel
Reporting Relationship
The Project Cost Analyst works closely with Project Managers, Department Managers, Accounting, Payroll, and field leadership to ensure project labor is accurately recorded and effectively managed.
Pay: $28.00 - $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Military leave
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 8 Project Cost Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Cost Manager JobsProject Cost Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Cost Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project cost manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related technical field
- Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) credential preferred
- Three or more years of cost control or cost estimating experience on capital projects
- Proficiency with cost management software such as Primavera P6, SAP, or Oracle
- Experience preparing and analyzing cost reports, forecasts, and variance documentation
- Strong knowledge of earned value management principles and change management processes
Project Cost Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project cost manager in California?
Most project cost managers in California enter through a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, quantity surveying, or a related field. California does not require a state-issued license specific to cost management, but employers strongly favor candidates who hold the Certified Cost Professional (CCP) credential from AACE International or the Project Management Professional (PMP). Building experience on publicly funded infrastructure or private development projects across the state accelerates advancement.
How much do project cost managers make in California?
Project cost managers in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire project cost managers in California?
California project cost manager roles are posted by Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, STV, and Citadel CPM and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of large public infrastructure programs, defense contractors, and commercial development firms means hiring is spread across both established engineering firms and major owner organizations managing their own capital programs.
Which California cities have the most project cost manager jobs?
Los Angeles, Poway, and Glendale account for the largest share of project cost manager openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through large-scale commercial construction and public transit expansion, San Francisco draws roles tied to technology campus development and municipal infrastructure, and San Diego's defense and life sciences sectors support a consistent base of cost management hiring throughout the region.
Are there remote project cost manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they are limited. About 0% of project cost manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the fact that much of the work requires on-site presence for field verification, contractor coordination, and progress reviews. The portions of the role most commonly performed remotely are financial reporting, cost forecasting, and document control work that does not depend on daily site access.
How can I get hired as a project cost manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a cost engineer or project controls analyst role, which large California firms such as Bechtel, AECOM, and Jacobs recruit directly from construction management and engineering programs at California State University and UC campuses. Pursuing the AACE International Planning and Scheduling Professional or Earned Value Professional certificate while working in an adjacent role such as project coordinator, estimator, or scheduler strengthens a candidacy significantly before making the move into a dedicated cost management position.
Where can I find and apply to project cost manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to project cost manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred region, and sector, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 8 Project Cost Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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