Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Amarillo, TX: $64,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Amarillo, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,431 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Amarillo's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,171 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,014) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective construction managers entering the job market in Amarillo, Texas, can expect a starting construction manager salary around $64,431 in 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual pay of $99,014, it presents a viable entry point for new graduates aiming to establish their careers. Over the first few years, early-career professionals might experience salary growth as they gain experience and move toward the 25th percentile wage of $77,182. Given Amarillo’s ongoing projects and population growth, the local market appears to provide adequate opportunities for recent graduates eager to advance in construction management roles.
Career Earnings Timeline in Amarillo
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 Amarillo
Entry-level construction managers in Amarillo, TX typically start between $64,431 and $77,182 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,834 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,014 — 16.74% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Texas of $60,000 represents just 93.12% of the starting construction manager pay ($64,431/year) in Amarillo. 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 Amarillo
- 1Research the Amarillo market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $64,431 to $77,182, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Amarillo, 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 Amarillo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Amarillo'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 Amarillo is $100,834 ( 156.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,431, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,265.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,050
2025 BLS Actual
$62,300
2026 Current Est.
$64,431
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,634 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Amarillo, TX grew 22.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,050 in 2019 to $62,300 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,634. New graduates entering the Amarillo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amarillo 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 Amarillo
Employment options abound for new grad construction manager pay TX, particularly among major general contractors hiring in Amarillo, such as Bechtel and Skanska. These companies typically recruit from construction management and engineering programs, looking for candidates to fill assistant project manager roles where foundational skills can be developed. For real strategic growth, aspiring construction managers may also consider obtaining credentials like the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) to enhance their starting pay. Furthermore, the current mega-project boom—driven by developments in data centers, semiconductor fabs, and electric vehicle battery plants—ensures a consistent demand for construction managers. Realistic salary expectations over the first three years could see entry-level wages gradually rise as a manager builds experience and navigates career avenues in either general contracting or owner's representation for real estate developers, both of which offer worthwhile compensation paths amidst a bustling sector.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
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 Amarillo. 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