Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Kettering, OH: $62,439 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Kettering, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,439 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kettering's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,841 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,057) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the construction management field in Kettering, OH, offers promising opportunities for recent graduates. With a projected entry-level salary at $62,439, new professionals can expect to bridge the gap towards the city’s median of $100,057 over their initial years. As they gain experience, salaries might climb to around $77,958, reflecting the early career trajectory that can lead up to the median within just a few years. Given the robust infrastructure demands and the ongoing mega-project boom, with projects such as data centers and electric vehicle battery plants, Kettering represents a favorable job market for new grads looking to establish themselves in the construction management industry.
About the Kettering Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kettering
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 Kettering
Entry-level construction managers in Kettering, OH typically start between $62,439 and $77,958 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $92,649 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,057 — 15.86% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Ohio of $60,000 represents just 96.09% of the starting construction manager pay ($62,439/year) in Kettering. 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 Kettering
- 1Research the Kettering market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $62,439 to $77,958, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kettering, 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 Kettering for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kettering's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Construction Manager Compensation Range
The construction manager wage spread in Kettering is $92,649 ( 148.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,439, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,088.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,635
2025 BLS Actual
$60,374
2026 Current Est.
$62,439
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Kettering (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,023 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,894 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,439 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,574 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Kettering, OH grew 24.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,635 in 2019 to $60,374 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,574. New graduates entering the Kettering job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kettering 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 Kettering
In the Kettering area, various employers actively seek out entry-level construction managers. Large general contractors like Bechtel and Turner often target new graduates through campus recruitment programs, offering assistant project manager roles that can set the stage for future career advancement. Those entering the profession may benefit from earning a Bachelor's degree in construction management or civil engineering, as well as optional certifications such as Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP). Initial career strategies should focus on gaining diverse experience, including potential roles with owner’s representation firms, which often provide a better work-life balance compared to traditional general contractor positions—albeit with different salary implications. With a stable growth rate of around 3.42%, expectations for salary progression within the first few years are realistic, particularly as demand for skilled managers in mega-projects continues to surge.
More salary data for Kettering, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Kettering. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kettering 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