Construction managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Construction managers in the United States earn a median salary of $114,990 per year — about $55 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 550K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +9%.
AI & Automation Risk
Construction management is a hybrid role that combines digital knowledge work—such as cost estimation, scheduling, and contract analysis—with essential physical presence. While AI can significantly automate budgeting and logistical planning, the core of the job requires real-world site inspections, physical problem-solving, and high-stakes interpersonal negotiation with tradesworkers and inspectors that cannot be replicated digitally.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso, WABEST VALUE | $154,300 | Average (97.5) | $158,183 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $159,860 | Average (102.4) | $156,048 |
| Bellingham, WA | $156,580 | Above avg (103.3) | $151,528 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $149,900 | Average (100.1) | $149,782 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $163,040 | Above avg (110.4) | $147,650 |
| Yakima, WA | $139,480 | Below avg (95.5) | $145,984 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $150,780 | Above avg (103.9) | $145,183 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $156,470 | Above avg (108.3) | $144,524 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $166,030 | Above avg (115.6) | $143,608 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $159,430 | Above avg (111.1) | $143,459 |
| Kokomo, IN | $127,930 | Below avg (89.6) | $142,703 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $140,080 | Average (98.4) | $142,429 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $158,000 | Above avg (112.6) | $140,366 |
| Vineland, NJ | $133,920 | Below avg (96.0) | $139,547 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $146,740 | Above avg (105.4) | $139,194 |