How to Become a Facilities Manager in California: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median facilities manager salary in California is $118,620 per year - 11% above the national median of $106,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in facility management, engineering technology, or business.
How to Become a Facilities Manager in California
1. Build systems experience
Maintenance, HVAC, or building-trades work is the standard foundation.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Facility management, engineering technology, or business administration.
3. Move into supervision
Lead tech and maintenance-supervisor roles bridge to management.
4. Add IFMA credentials
FMP then CFM are the field’s recognized certifications.
5. Advance
Facilities director, regional portfolio management, or corporate real estate.
Requirements in California
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in facility management, engineering technology, or business. There is no occupational license for facilities managers in most states, including California. CFM/FMP (IFMA) certifications valued. Confirm employer or role-specific certifications before you enroll, as details change.
Facilities Manager Salary in California
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| California entry level (10th percentile) | $70,690 |
| California 25th-75th percentile | $85,870 - $157,810 |
| California median | $118,620 |
| California top earners (90th percentile) | $203,400 |
| U.S. median | $106,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 20,550.
The California Job Market: Facilities Manager
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in California | 20,550 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 1.13 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.12 |
| Mean annual wage in California | $127,420 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.12, California’s demand for facilities managers tracks close to the national average.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $64,480 |
| 25th | $82,020 |
| 50th (median) | $106,660 |
| 75th | $138,870 |
| 90th | $176,120 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 151,400 |
| 2034 projected | 157,100 |
| Percent change | +3.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a facilities manager make in California?
The median annual wage for facilities managers in California is $118,620 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% above the national median of $106,660.
How to become a facilities manager in California?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in facility management, engineering technology, or business. There is no occupational license for facilities managers in most states, including California. CFM/FMP (IFMA) certifications valued. Confirm employer or role-specific certifications. See the steps on this page.
How many facilities managers work in California?
BLS counts about 20,550 facilities managers employed in California (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Facilities Manager in Nearby States
- Facilities Manager in Arizona
- Facilities Manager in Arkansas
- Facilities Manager in Colorado
- Facilities Manager in Connecticut
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Facilities Managers (SOC 11-3013), California and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |