Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Long Beach, CA: $79,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Long Beach, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,249 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Long Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,070 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,635) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective entry-level construction managers in Long Beach, CA, can expect a starting salary of approximately $79,249 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the city's median annual salary of $136,635. This gap indicates that new graduates will need to work their way up through experiential learning, gaining skills and credentials in the first few years. Typically, within three to five years, entry-level professionals can see their earnings progress with expected salaries moving toward $106,581 by the time they reach the 25th percentile. Long Beach's construction market is appealing for new graduates, thanks to a robust demand for skilled professionals driven by ongoing construction projects and the mega-project boom in sectors like data centers and EV battery plants.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Long Beach
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
Entry-level construction managers in Long Beach, CA typically start between $79,249 and $106,581 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,536 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,635 — 14.89% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in California of $85,000 represents just 107.26% of the starting construction manager pay ($79,249/year) in Long Beach. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACCE-accredited construction management bachelor's programs at public and private universities. In-state public tuition at the low end; private universities at the high end. Many employers sponsor PMP/CCM certifications post-graduation.
CM Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Long Beach
- 1Research the Long Beach market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $79,249 to $106,581, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the construction management field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Long Beach, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Long Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Long Beach's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Construction Manager Compensation Range
The construction manager wage spread in Long Beach is $132,536 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,249, experienced hygienists can earn up to $211,785.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,729
2025 BLS Actual
$76,628
2026 Current Est.
$79,249
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,543 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,028 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,628 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,959 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Long Beach, CA grew 24.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,729 in 2019 to $76,628 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,959. New graduates entering the Long Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.42% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your construction management Career in Long Beach
In Long Beach, large general contractors such as Bechtel, Skanska, and Turner actively recruit new grads for roles like assistant project managers, leveraging campus partnerships to fill talent gaps. Additionally, specialty contractors focus on trade-specific career paths, while real estate developers usually hire experienced project managers from the general contracting side after several years in the industry. To enhance their entry-level construction manager pay in CA, fresh graduates might consider pursuing a Bachelor's in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture, and credentials like the CMAA's Certified Construction Manager or Project Management Professional certification can provide competitive advantages. In the first three years, salary growth can be strong, fueled by the demand for skilled construction managers that comes from regional and national projects. Although starting with lower pay might feel daunting, opportunities for rapid advancement and increased compensation exist, especially for those willing to adapt to the rigorous demands of leading construction projects.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for construction managers in Long Beach in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new construction management graduates. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Long Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.42%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for construction managers (SOC 11-9021).
Compiled and verified by Michael Johnson, MS, CCM, a licensed construction manager with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov