Construction Manager Pay

Charlottesville vs Herndon: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Charlottesville, VA and Herndon, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlottesville, VA
$112,252
$53.96/hr
Herndon, VA
$97,768
$47.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlottesville, VAHerndon, VA
Median Salary$112,252$97,768
Hourly Rate$53.96$47.00
Entry Level (P10)$86,221$66,569
25th Percentile$89,572$79,778
75th Percentile$140,413$122,931
Top Earner (P90)$175,979$147,382
Total Employed2405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlottesville ($112,252) and Herndon ($97,768) construction manager salaries.CharlottesvilleHerndonMedian Salary$112,252$97,768Entry Level (P10)$86,221$66,569Top Earner (P90)$175,979$147,382US Median $118,923

Verdict

Charlottesville, VA offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Herndon.

The salary gap between Charlottesville and Herndon is $14,484 (14.81%). Charlottesville's median is -5.61% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlottesville spans $89,758,Herndon spans $80,813. Charlottesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlottesville
P10 (Entry)$86,221
P25$89,572
Median$112,252
P75$140,413
P90 (Top)$175,979
Herndon
P10 (Entry)$66,569
P25$79,778
Median$97,768
P75$122,931
P90 (Top)$147,382

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlottesville ($113,219 effective) pays 19.51% more than Herndon ($94,736 effective).

Charlottesville
Nominal: $112,252
CoL Index: 99.146
Adjusted: $113,219
Herndon
Nominal: $97,768
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $94,736

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlottesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,252/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($175,979)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,219)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Herndon if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Charlottesville grew 30.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.1% growth in Herndon over the same period.

Charlottesville, VA

+30.3%

$83,300 (2019) → $108,540 (2025)

Herndon, VA

+-11.1%

$106,337 (2024) → $94,535 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Charlottesville or Herndon?

Charlottesville has a higher median construction manager salary at $112,252/year, compared to Herndon at $97,768/year — a difference of $14,484 (14.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlottesville and Herndon?

Charlottesville construction managers earn $53.96/hr while Herndon hygienists earn $47.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlottesville to Herndon as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlottesville and Herndon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlottesville = $113,219, Herndon = $94,736), job availability (240 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Charlottesville vs Herndon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $86,221 in Charlottesville and $66,569 in Herndon. The Charlottesville area offers higher starting salaries.
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