Construction Managers Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington WA | $148,661 | $71.47/hr | $130,404 | 5,430 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 114.0 |
| #2 | Alaska AK | $137,725 | $66.22/hr | $112,062 | 1,080 | Anchorage, AK | 122.9 |
| #3 | Massachusetts MA | $136,998 | $65.87/hr | $104,738 | 9,220 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #4 | New Hampshire NH | $133,980 | $64.42/hr | $116,910 | 160 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | 114.6 |
| #5 | Hawaii HI | $129,770 | $62.39/hr | $79,809 | 2,550 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 162.6 |
| #6 | District of Columbia DC | $129,650 | $62.33/hr | $81,592 | 6,630 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #7 | New Jersey NJ | $129,520 | $62.27/hr | $109,669 | 750 | Vineland, NJ | 118.1 |
| #8 | Connecticut CT | $128,746 | $61.90/hr | $101,936 | 2,500 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 126.3 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities; PMP or CCM certification
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Construction Managers: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Construction Managers. Official 2026 economic data for Construction Managers compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Construction Managers range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Construction Managers: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Construction Managers is $114,990 per year ($55.28/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 382 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $75,210 in Gadsden, AL to $166,030 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Construction Managers
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $166,030 | +44.4% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $163,040 | +41.8% |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $159,860 | +39.0% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $159,430 | +38.6% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $158,000 | +37.4% |
| Bellingham, WA | $156,580 | +36.2% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $156,470 | +36.1% |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $154,300 | +34.2% |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $152,100 | +32.3% |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $150,780 | +31.1% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $149,900 | +30.4% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $146,740 | +27.6% |