How much does managed IT support cost in San Diego?
Transparent breakdown of managed IT service pricing in San Diego. Learn what affects costs, what's included, and how to budget for IT support.
We get this question every single day. And unlike many IT companies, we’re going to give you a straight answer.
The Short Answer
Managed IT services in San Diego typically cost $100-$250 per user per month for comprehensive support. The exact price depends on your industry, complexity, and compliance requirements.
Here’s what that looks like for real businesses:
| Company Size | Monthly Range | Annual Investment |
|---|---|---|
| 10 employees | $1,000 - $2,500 | $12,000 - $30,000 |
| 25 employees | $2,500 - $6,250 | $30,000 - $75,000 |
| 50 employees | $5,000 - $12,500 | $60,000 - $150,000 |
| 100 employees | $10,000 - $25,000 | $120,000 - $300,000 |
Why the Wide Range?
The difference between $100/user and $250/user comes down to three main factors:
1. Your Industry’s Compliance Requirements
A marketing agency has very different IT needs than a biotech company handling FDA-regulated data.
- Standard business (no compliance): $100-$150/user
- Healthcare (HIPAA): $150-$200/user
- Life Sciences (FDA 21 CFR Part 11): $175-$250/user
- Financial Services (SEC/FINRA): $150-$225/user
2. Your Technology Complexity
More servers, more locations, more specialized software = higher costs.
- Cloud-only, simple setup: Lower end of range
- Hybrid cloud + on-premise servers: Middle of range
- Multiple locations, complex integrations: Higher end of range
3. Level of Service
Not all managed IT is created equal. Ask what’s actually included.
Budget tier ($75-$100/user):
- Basic monitoring
- Reactive support only
- Limited hours
- Often offshore help desk
Mid-tier ($100-$175/user):
- 24/7 monitoring
- Help desk support
- Some proactive maintenance
- U.S.-based support
Premium tier ($175-$250/user):
- Everything above, plus:
- Dedicated account manager
- Strategic planning (vCIO services)
- Compliance management
- On-site support included
- 15-minute response SLA
What Should Be Included?
At a minimum, your managed IT agreement should include:
Core Services (non-negotiable):
- 24/7 network monitoring
- Help desk support with defined response times
- Patch management and updates
- Antivirus/endpoint protection
- Backup monitoring
- Basic cybersecurity
Value-Added Services (ask if included):
- Strategic IT planning
- Vendor management
- New employee onboarding
- Quarterly business reviews
- On-site visits
Usually Extra (priced separately):
- Major projects (migrations, buildouts)
- Hardware procurement
- Advanced cybersecurity (SIEM, SOC)
- Compliance audits
Red Flags in Pricing
Watch out for these warning signs:
Too cheap? If someone quotes $50/user with “everything included,” something’s wrong. They’re either:
- Using offshore support
- Limiting what’s actually covered
- Planning to upsell aggressively
- Cutting corners on security
Hourly only? Some providers offer low monthly fees but charge hourly for most support. You’ll pay more and have unpredictable costs.
No contract details? Vague pricing without a clear scope of services means surprises later.
How to Compare Quotes
When evaluating proposals, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples:
- List exactly what’s included - Get it in writing
- Understand response time SLAs - What’s guaranteed?
- Ask about exclusions - What costs extra?
- Check the support model - Who answers when you call?
- Verify references - Talk to businesses your size in your industry
Our Pricing Philosophy
At centrexIT, we believe in transparent, predictable pricing. Our managed IT services range from $125-$200 per user per month depending on your needs, with everything included except major projects.
We don’t do:
- Hidden fees
- Hourly nickel-and-diming
- Offshore support
- Vague contracts
We do:
- 15-minute average response time
- San Diego-based team
- All-inclusive monthly pricing
- Quarterly business reviews
The Real Cost Comparison
Before you focus only on the monthly fee, consider the total cost:
DIY / Break-Fix:
- Hourly IT: $150-$200/hour
- Average 20+ hours/month for a 25-person company
- Plus downtime costs, security incidents, no strategy
- Real cost: Often $4,000-$6,000/month with unpredictable spikes
Managed IT ($150/user):
- 25 users = $3,750/month
- Predictable, all-inclusive
- Proactive = fewer emergencies
- Better value and better outcomes
Ready to Get a Real Quote?
Stop guessing. Contact us for a straightforward assessment and proposal tailored to your business. We’ll tell you exactly what you need and what it costs - no games.
Have More Questions?
Our team is here to help. Whether you're evaluating IT services or have a specific question about your technology, we're happy to have a conversation.