Construction Manager Pay

Atlantic City vs Manchester: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Manchester, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$131,033
$62.99/hr
Manchester, NJ
$131,979
$63.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJManchester, NJ
Median Salary$131,033$131,979
Hourly Rate$62.99$63.45
Entry Level (P10)$97,494$86,353
25th Percentile$111,880$105,476
75th Percentile$171,398$168,051
Top Earner (P90)$222,756$204,568
Total Employed3109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($131,033) and Manchester ($131,979) construction manager salaries.Atlantic CityManchesterMedian Salary$131,033$131,979Entry Level (P10)$97,494$86,353Top Earner (P90)$222,756$204,568US Median $118,923

Verdict

Atlantic City and Manchester are closely matched on overall construction manager compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Manchester is $946 (0.72%). Manchester's median is +10.98% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $125,262,Manchester spans $118,215. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$97,494
P25$111,880
Median$131,033
P75$171,398
P90 (Top)$222,756
Manchester
P10 (Entry)$86,353
P25$105,476
Median$131,979
P75$168,051
P90 (Top)$204,568

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($132,548 effective) pays 15.70% more than Manchester ($114,565 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $131,033
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $132,548
Manchester
Nominal: $131,979
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $114,565

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($222,756)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,548)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Manchester if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,979/year)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Atlantic City grew 0.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -17.9% growth in Manchester over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+0.3%

$126,380 (2019) → $126,700 (2025)

Manchester, NJ

+-17.9%

$155,372 (2024) → $127,615 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Atlantic City or Manchester?

Manchester has a higher median construction manager salary at $131,979/year, compared to Atlantic City at $131,033/year — a difference of $946 (0.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Manchester?

Atlantic City construction managers earn $62.99/hr while Manchester hygienists earn $63.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Manchester as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Manchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $132,548, Manchester = $114,565), job availability (310 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Atlantic City vs Manchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $97,494 in Atlantic City and $86,353 in Manchester. The Atlantic City area offers higher starting salaries.
MJ

Written by Michael Johnson, MS, CCM

Career Analyst

Michael has 10 years of experience in construction management. He specializes in project scheduling and cost control. He works with a mid-sized general contracting firm.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, BS, PMPData verified by Rajesh Kumar, BS, CCM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.42% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Michael Johnson, MS, CCM, a licensed construction manager with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov