Construction Manager Pay

Carpentersville vs Chicago: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Carpentersville, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carpentersville, IL
$104,962
$50.46/hr
Chicago, IL
$121,291
$58.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$104,962$121,291
Hourly Rate$50.46$58.32
Entry Level (P10)$68,052$57,398
25th Percentile$83,096$85,146
75th Percentile$134,351$156,836
Top Earner (P90)$162,691$184,232
Total Employed813,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($104,962) and Chicago ($121,291) construction manager salaries.CarpentersvilleChicagoMedian Salary$104,962$121,291Entry Level (P10)$68,052$57,398Top Earner (P90)$162,691$184,232US Median $118,923

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carpentersville.

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Chicago is $16,329 (15.56%). Chicago's median is +1.99% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $94,639,Chicago spans $126,834. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$68,052
P25$83,096
Median$104,962
P75$134,351
P90 (Top)$162,691
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$57,398
P25$85,146
Median$121,291
P75$156,836
P90 (Top)$184,232

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($117,082 effective) pays 8.31% more than Carpentersville ($108,097 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $104,962
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $108,097
Chicago
Nominal: $121,291
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $117,082

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carpentersville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,291/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,232)
  • Larger job market (13,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,082)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Carpentersville grew -9.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.7% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+-9.2%

$111,723 (2024) → $101,491 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+27.7%

$91,860 (2019) → $117,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Carpentersville or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median construction manager salary at $121,291/year, compared to Carpentersville at $104,962/year — a difference of $16,329 (15.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Chicago?

Carpentersville construction managers earn $50.46/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $58.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Chicago as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $108,097, Chicago = $117,082), job availability (8 vs 13,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Carpentersville vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $68,052 in Carpentersville and $57,398 in Chicago. The Carpentersville 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