Construction Manager Pay

Boston vs Lexington: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Boston, MA and Lexington, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$161,821
$77.80/hr
Lexington, MA
$134,968
$64.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MALexington, MA
Median Salary$161,821$134,968
Hourly Rate$77.80$64.89
Entry Level (P10)$109,480$86,902
25th Percentile$134,705$106,826
75th Percentile$179,992$172,759
Top Earner (P90)$225,311$209,201
Total Employed7,5706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($161,821) and Lexington ($134,968) construction manager salaries.BostonLexingtonMedian Salary$161,821$134,968Entry Level (P10)$109,480$86,902Top Earner (P90)$225,311$209,201US Median $118,923

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.

The salary gap between Boston and Lexington is $26,853 (19.90%). Boston's median is +36.07% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $115,831,Lexington spans $122,299. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$109,480
P25$134,705
Median$161,821
P75$179,992
P90 (Top)$225,311
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$86,902
P25$106,826
Median$134,968
P75$172,759
P90 (Top)$209,201

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($149,466 effective) pays 20.15% more than Lexington ($124,394 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $161,821
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $149,466
Lexington
Nominal: $134,968
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $124,394

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($161,821/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($225,311)
  • Larger job market (7,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,466)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Boston grew 48.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.9% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Boston, MA

+48.2%

$105,600 (2019) → $156,470 (2025)

Lexington, MA

+-6.9%

$140,211 (2024) → $130,505 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Boston or Lexington?

Boston has a higher median construction manager salary at $161,821/year, compared to Lexington at $134,968/year — a difference of $26,853 (19.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Lexington?

Boston construction managers earn $77.80/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $64.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Lexington as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $149,466, Lexington = $124,394), job availability (7,570 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Boston vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $109,480 in Boston and $86,902 in Lexington. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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