Construction Manager Pay

Fayetteville vs Searcy: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Searcy, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$102,717
$49.38/hr
Searcy, AR
$82,818
$39.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARSearcy, AR
Median Salary$102,717$82,818
Hourly Rate$49.38$39.82
Entry Level (P10)$58,215$52,003
25th Percentile$82,374$64,127
75th Percentile$109,584$103,947
Top Earner (P90)$139,286$124,546
Total Employed6905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($102,717) and Searcy ($82,818) construction manager salaries.FayettevilleSearcyMedian Salary$102,717$82,818Entry Level (P10)$58,215$52,003Top Earner (P90)$139,286$124,546US Median $118,923

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Searcy.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Searcy is $19,899 (24.03%). Fayetteville's median is -13.63% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $81,071,Searcy spans $72,543. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$58,215
P25$82,374
Median$102,717
P75$109,584
P90 (Top)$139,286
Searcy
P10 (Entry)$52,003
P25$64,127
Median$82,818
P75$103,947
P90 (Top)$124,546

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($112,440 effective) pays 17.98% more than Searcy ($95,303 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $102,717
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $112,440
Searcy
Nominal: $82,818
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $95,303

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,717/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,286)
  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,440)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Searcy if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Fayetteville grew 54.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Searcy over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+54.4%

$64,330 (2019) → $99,320 (2025)

Searcy, AR

+12.5%

$71,152 (2024) → $80,079 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Fayetteville or Searcy?

Fayetteville has a higher median construction manager salary at $102,717/year, compared to Searcy at $82,818/year — a difference of $19,899 (24.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Searcy?

Fayetteville construction managers earn $49.38/hr while Searcy hygienists earn $39.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Searcy as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Searcy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $112,440, Searcy = $95,303), job availability (690 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Fayetteville vs Searcy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $58,215 in Fayetteville and $52,003 in Searcy. The Fayetteville 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