How much does a construction manager make?
The median construction manager in the United States earns $106,980 per year, about $51.43 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all construction managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 11-9021.
Construction manager salary range
Pay for construction managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $65,160 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $176,990. The average (mean) wage of $119,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,160 | $31.33 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $83,480 | $40.14 | |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $51.43 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $139,330 | $66.99 | |
| 90th percentile | $176,990 | $85.09 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for construction managers (SOC 11-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Construction manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Construction managers earn the most in Massachusetts at $147,750 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $76,150. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $147,750 | 9,000 |
| Washington | $136,180 | 6,550 |
| Alaska | $135,630 | 1,600 |
| New York | $135,530 | 8,170 |
| Delaware | $135,200 | 680 |
| New Jersey | $130,580 | 8,580 |
| California | $129,000 | 35,790 |
| District of Columbia | $128,770 | 950 |
| Maryland | $128,500 | 5,780 |
| Oregon | $126,660 | 4,440 |
| Hawaii | $122,910 | 2,910 |
| Connecticut | $118,680 | 2,790 |
| Minnesota | $117,500 | 5,260 |
| Colorado | $113,520 | 13,150 |
| South Dakota | $113,520 | 980 |
| Wisconsin | $113,170 | 4,990 |
| Arizona | $110,120 | 9,080 |
| Illinois | $108,570 | 16,740 |
| Virginia | $107,000 | 7,020 |
| North Carolina | $104,750 | 17,100 |
| Nevada | $104,530 | 4,420 |
| Louisiana | $104,510 | 5,280 |
| Missouri | $104,350 | 3,150 |
| Maine | $104,060 | 1,720 |
| South Carolina | $104,040 | 4,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,990 | 5,490 |
| Kansas | $103,760 | 3,210 |
| Michigan | $103,610 | 7,910 |
| Rhode Island | $103,500 | 420 |
| Florida | $103,320 | 28,090 |
| Idaho | $102,880 | 1,650 |
| Montana | $102,820 | 1,760 |
| Georgia | $101,360 | 7,840 |
| North Dakota | $101,020 | 1,100 |
| New Mexico | $100,580 | 1,780 |
| Utah | $99,900 | 4,970 |
| Tennessee | $99,790 | 6,490 |
| Vermont | $99,660 | 970 |
| Kentucky | $99,620 | 2,330 |
| Indiana | $99,600 | 5,250 |
| Texas | $99,600 | 51,960 |
| Wyoming | $97,050 | 1,070 |
| Nebraska | $96,760 | 3,250 |
| Ohio | $96,440 | 14,900 |
| Oklahoma | $96,310 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $96,300 | 2,200 |
| Mississippi | $93,840 | 1,760 |
| Alabama | $92,620 | 7,520 |
| Arkansas | $87,160 | 2,020 |
| West Virginia | $76,150 | 670 |
State median wages for construction managers (SOC 11-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for construction managers
The BLS projects employment of construction managers to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 609,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 664,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 49,700 openings a year for construction managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a construction manager
The typical entry-level education for construction managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a construction manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $147,750) and the lowest (West Virginia, $76,150) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 348,330 people work as construction managers in the United States. At $106,980 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Construction manager salary FAQ
How much does a construction manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a construction manager is $51.43. The middle half of construction managers earn between $40.14 and $66.99 per hour.
What is the highest construction manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of construction managers earn more than $176,990 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a construction manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a construction manager is $106,980. The average (mean) wage of $119,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a construction manager a well paid job?
At $106,980 a year, a construction manager earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 348,330 people work as construction managers in the United States.
Which state pays construction managers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for construction managers at $147,750 a year. Washington ($136,180) and Alaska ($135,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a construction manager a good career?
Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 49,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a construction manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for construction managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Management salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.