Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Kingsport, TN: $79,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Kingsport, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,365 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kingsport's local price level (BEA RPP 86.4 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $91,808 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,981) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the construction management field in Kingsport, TN, can expect a starting construction manager salary of around $79,365, which is noticeably below the city’s median annual salary of $120,981. The initial pay reflects the gap many new grads face before gaining experience, but there is a clear pathway to increased earning potential. By the time early-career professionals reach more senior entry-level positions, such as those reflected in the 25th percentile at approximately $86,811, they can expect to grow into more standard salaries within the first three to five years. Given the ongoing mega-project boom in the nearby regions, including developments in data centers and EV battery plants, Kingsport presents a viable market for new graduates eager to secure entry-level roles in construction management.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kingsport
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 Kingsport
Entry-level construction managers in Kingsport, TN typically start between $79,365 and $86,811 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,911 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,981 — 1.73% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Tennessee of $55,000 represents just 69.30% of the starting construction manager pay ($79,365/year) in Kingsport. 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 Kingsport
- 1Research the Kingsport market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $79,365 to $86,811, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kingsport, 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 Kingsport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kingsport'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 Kingsport is $95,911 ( 120.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,365, experienced hygienists can earn up to $175,276.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,360
2025 BLS Actual
$76,740
2026 Current Est.
$79,365
2019–2027 Growth
+77.0%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,079 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Kingsport, TN grew 65.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $46,360 in 2019 to $76,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,079. New graduates entering the Kingsport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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 Kingsport
Employers actively seeking entry-level construction managers in Kingsport include large general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska, which often recruit through university campuses for assistant project management roles. For those pursuing careers with specialty contractors, a trade-specific route may be beneficial, while real estate developers typically require 5–10 years of experience in construction management. To enhance entry-level salary prospects in Tennessee, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture is advisable. Further credentials, such as the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) from the CMAA or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, can bolster initial offers. In the highly competitive context of Kingsport’s construction market, realistic salary growth in the first three years may lead entry-level professionals into the $86,000 to $150,000 range as they gain experience, particularly if they explore both general contractor and owner’s representative roles.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
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 Kingsport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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