Construction Manager Pay

Boston vs Malden: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$161,821
$77.80/hr
Malden, MA
$141,446
$68.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAMalden, MA
Median Salary$161,821$141,446
Hourly Rate$77.80$68.00
Entry Level (P10)$109,480$83,596
25th Percentile$134,705$106,268
75th Percentile$179,992$181,051
Top Earner (P90)$225,311$219,242
Total Employed7,57015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($161,821) and Malden ($141,446) construction manager salaries.BostonMaldenMedian Salary$161,821$141,446Entry Level (P10)$109,480$83,596Top Earner (P90)$225,311$219,242US Median $118,923

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Malden is $20,375 (14.40%). 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,Malden spans $135,646. Malden 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
Malden
P10 (Entry)$83,596
P25$106,268
Median$141,446
P75$181,051
P90 (Top)$219,242

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($149,466 effective) pays 14.65% more than Malden ($130,365 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $161,821
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $149,466
Malden
Nominal: $141,446
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $130,365

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 Malden 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 Malden over the same period.

Boston, MA

+48.2%

$105,600 (2019) → $156,470 (2025)

Malden, MA

+-6.9%

$146,942 (2024) → $136,769 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Boston or Malden?

Boston has a higher median construction manager salary at $161,821/year, compared to Malden at $141,446/year — a difference of $20,375 (14.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Malden?

Boston construction managers earn $77.80/hr while Malden hygienists earn $68.00/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Malden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $149,466, Malden = $130,365), job availability (7,570 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $109,480 in Boston and $83,596 in Malden. 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