Construction Manager Pay

Kingsport vs Nashville: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Kingsport, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingsport, TN
$120,981
$58.16/hr
Nashville, TN
$126,369
$60.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingsport, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$120,981$126,369
Hourly Rate$58.16$60.76
Entry Level (P10)$79,365$76,065
25th Percentile$86,811$98,942
75th Percentile$156,671$159,991
Top Earner (P90)$175,276$201,710
Total Employed2802,460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingsport ($120,981) and Nashville ($126,369) construction manager salaries.KingsportNashvilleMedian Salary$120,981$126,369Entry Level (P10)$79,365$76,065Top Earner (P90)$175,276$201,710US Median $118,923

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsport.

The salary gap between Kingsport and Nashville is $5,388 (4.45%). Nashville's median is +6.26% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingsport spans $95,911,Nashville spans $125,645. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Kingsport
P10 (Entry)$79,365
P25$86,811
Median$120,981
P75$156,671
P90 (Top)$175,276
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$76,065
P25$98,942
Median$126,369
P75$159,991
P90 (Top)$201,710

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kingsport ($139,948 effective) pays 6.69% more than Nashville ($131,173 effective).

Kingsport
Nominal: $120,981
CoL Index: 86.447
Adjusted: $139,948
Nashville
Nominal: $126,369
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $131,173

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingsport if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,948)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,369/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($201,710)
  • Larger job market (2,460 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Kingsport grew 71.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 52.1% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Kingsport, TN

+71.2%

$68,330 (2019) → $116,980 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+52.1%

$80,340 (2019) → $122,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Kingsport or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median construction manager salary at $126,369/year, compared to Kingsport at $120,981/year — a difference of $5,388 (4.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingsport and Nashville?

Kingsport construction managers earn $58.16/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $60.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingsport to Nashville as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingsport and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingsport = $139,948, Nashville = $131,173), job availability (280 vs 2,460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Kingsport vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $79,365 in Kingsport and $76,065 in Nashville. The Kingsport 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