Construction Manager Pay

Boston vs Medford: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$161,821
$77.80/hr
Medford, MA
$139,325
$66.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAMedford, MA
Median Salary$161,821$139,325
Hourly Rate$77.80$66.99
Entry Level (P10)$109,480$89,958
25th Percentile$134,705$110,493
75th Percentile$179,992$178,336
Top Earner (P90)$225,311$215,954
Total Employed7,57011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($161,821) and Medford ($139,325) construction manager salaries.BostonMedfordMedian Salary$161,821$139,325Entry Level (P10)$109,480$89,958Top Earner (P90)$225,311$215,954US Median $118,923

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Medford is $22,496 (16.15%). 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,Medford spans $125,996. Medford 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
Medford
P10 (Entry)$89,958
P25$110,493
Median$139,325
P75$178,336
P90 (Top)$215,954

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($149,466 effective) pays 16.40% more than Medford ($128,410 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $161,821
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $149,466
Medford
Nominal: $139,325
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $128,410

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 Medford 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 Medford over the same period.

Boston, MA

+48.2%

$105,600 (2019) → $156,470 (2025)

Medford, MA

+-6.9%

$144,738 (2024) → $134,718 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Boston or Medford?

Boston has a higher median construction manager salary at $161,821/year, compared to Medford at $139,325/year — a difference of $22,496 (16.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Medford?

Boston construction managers earn $77.80/hr while Medford hygienists earn $66.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Medford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $149,466, Medford = $128,410), job availability (7,570 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $109,480 in Boston and $89,958 in Medford. 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