Construction Manager Pay

Charlotte vs Salisbury: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Charlotte, NC and Salisbury, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$110,866
$53.30/hr
Salisbury, NC
$107,168
$51.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCSalisbury, NC
Median Salary$110,866$107,168
Hourly Rate$53.30$51.52
Entry Level (P10)$71,318$65,141
25th Percentile$82,602$81,719
75th Percentile$145,626$136,752
Top Earner (P90)$181,213$166,093
Total Employed5,4506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($110,866) and Salisbury ($107,168) construction manager salaries.CharlotteSalisburyMedian Salary$110,866$107,168Entry Level (P10)$71,318$65,141Top Earner (P90)$181,213$166,093US Median $118,923

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Salisbury is $3,698 (3.45%). Charlotte's median is -6.77% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $109,895,Salisbury spans $100,952. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$71,318
P25$82,602
Median$110,866
P75$145,626
P90 (Top)$181,213
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$65,141
P25$81,719
Median$107,168
P75$136,752
P90 (Top)$166,093

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salisbury ($114,496 effective) pays 0.54% more than Charlotte ($113,886 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $110,866
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $113,886
Salisbury
Nominal: $107,168
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $114,496

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,866/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($181,213)
  • Larger job market (5,450 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,496)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Charlotte grew -1.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.0% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+-1.8%

$109,150 (2019) → $107,200 (2025)

Salisbury, NC

+15.0%

$90,140 (2024) → $103,624 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Charlotte or Salisbury?

Charlotte has a higher median construction manager salary at $110,866/year, compared to Salisbury at $107,168/year — a difference of $3,698 (3.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Salisbury?

Charlotte construction managers earn $53.30/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $51.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Salisbury as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $113,886, Salisbury = $114,496), job availability (5,450 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Charlotte vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $71,318 in Charlotte and $65,141 in Salisbury. The Charlotte 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