Construction Manager Pay

Middletown vs Wilmington: Construction Manager Salary (2026)

Compare construction manager salaries between Middletown, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Middletown, DE
$111,746
$53.73/hr
Wilmington, DE
$131,473
$63.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$111,746$131,473
Hourly Rate$53.73$63.21
Entry Level (P10)$70,518$78,493
25th Percentile$86,781$99,368
75th Percentile$142,869$168,285
Top Earner (P90)$172,269$203,783
Total Employed610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($111,746) and Wilmington ($131,473) construction manager salaries.MiddletownWilmingtonMedian Salary$111,746$131,473Entry Level (P10)$70,518$78,493Top Earner (P90)$172,269$203,783US Median $118,923

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for construction managers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Middletown.

The salary gap between Middletown and Wilmington is $19,727 (17.65%). Wilmington's median is +10.55% compared to the US national median of $118,923.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $101,751,Wilmington spans $125,290. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced construction managers.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$70,518
P25$86,781
Median$111,746
P75$142,869
P90 (Top)$172,269
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$78,493
P25$99,368
Median$131,473
P75$168,285
P90 (Top)$203,783

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($129,275 effective) pays 17.65% more than Middletown ($109,878 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $111,746
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $109,878
Wilmington
Nominal: $131,473
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $129,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,473/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($203,783)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,275)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, construction manager salaries in Middletown grew 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.9% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Middletown, DE

+4.5%

$103,362 (2024) → $108,051 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+12.9%

$112,643 (2024) → $127,125 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays construction managers more: Middletown or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median construction manager salary at $131,473/year, compared to Middletown at $111,746/year — a difference of $19,727 (17.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and Wilmington?

Middletown construction managers earn $53.73/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $63.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to Wilmington as a construction manager?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $109,878, Wilmington = $129,275), job availability (6 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level construction managers earn in Middletown vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) construction managers earn $70,518 in Middletown and $78,493 in Wilmington. The Wilmington 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