Construction Manager Pay

Bear vs Newark: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Bear, DE and Newark, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bear, DE
$115,903
$55.72/hr
Newark, DE
$120,165
$57.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBear, DENewark, DE
Median Salary$115,903$120,165
Hourly Rate$55.72$57.77
Entry Level (P10)$74,088$75,388
25th Percentile$90,697$93,269
75th Percentile$146,542$153,810
Top Earner (P90)$175,470$186,255
Total Employed65
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bear ($115,903) and Newark ($120,165) construction manager salaries.BearNewarkMedian Salary$115,903$120,165Entry Level (P10)$74,088$75,388Top Earner (P90)$175,470$186,255US Median $118,923

Verdict

Newark, DE offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bear.

The salary gap between Bear and Newark is $4,262 (3.68%). Newark's median is +1.04% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bear spans $101,382,Newark spans $110,867. Newark has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Bear
P10 (Entry)$74,088
P25$90,697
Median$115,903
P75$146,542
P90 (Top)$175,470
Newark
P10 (Entry)$75,388
P25$93,269
Median$120,165
P75$153,810
P90 (Top)$186,255

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Newark ($118,156 effective) pays 3.68% more than Bear ($113,966 effective).

Bear
Nominal: $115,903
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $113,966
Newark
Nominal: $120,165
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $118,156

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bear if…

  • Larger job market (6 employed)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Newark if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,165/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,255)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,156)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Bear grew 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in Newark over the same period.

Bear, DE

+4.5%

$107,206 (2024) → $112,070 (2025)

Newark, DE

+4.5%

$111,149 (2024) → $116,191 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Bear or Newark?

Newark has a higher median construction manager salary at $120,165/year, compared to Bear at $115,903/year — a difference of $4,262 (3.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bear and Newark?

Bear construction managers earn $55.72/hr while Newark hygienists earn $57.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bear to Newark as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bear and Newark. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bear = $113,966, Newark = $118,156), job availability (6 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Bear vs Newark?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $74,088 in Bear and $75,388 in Newark. The Newark 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