Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Waco, TX: $60,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Waco, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,894 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Waco's local price level (BEA RPP 92.5 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,796 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,864) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the construction management field in Waco, Texas, the outlook for starting pay in 2026 presents both potential and challenges. The entry-level construction manager salary in Waco is projected to begin at around $60,894, which is significantly lower than the city median of $93,864. This sizable gap suggests that early-career professionals may need a few years of experience to reach the mid-point salary, which is typical for this field. However, as entry-level workers gain experience, they can realistically expect to see their salaries increase, with opportunities for advancement leading from the lower percentiles up towards the median within the first three to five years of their careers. The current market in Waco appears favorable for new graduates, particularly with the ongoing demand for construction managers driven by the mega-project boom in data centers and EV battery plants in the region.
Career Earnings Timeline in Waco
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 Waco
Entry-level construction managers in Waco, TX typically start between $60,894 and $70,677 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $96,149 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,864 — 21.07% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Texas of $60,000 represents just 98.53% of the starting construction manager pay ($60,894/year) in Waco. 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 Waco
- 1Research the Waco market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $60,894 to $70,677, 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 Waco, 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 Waco for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Waco'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 Waco is $96,149 ( 157.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,894, experienced hygienists can earn up to $157,043.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,200
2025 BLS Actual
$58,880
2026 Current Est.
$60,894
2019–2027 Growth
+74.0%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,976 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Waco, TX grew 62.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,200 in 2019 to $58,880 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,976. New graduates entering the Waco job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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 Waco
Looking closer at the local employment opportunities, major general contractors such as Bechtel, Turner, and Skanska frequently recruit through campus pipelines for entry-level assistant project manager roles, an ideal avenue for new grads. Specialty contractors may also be on the lookout for recent graduates via trade-specific career paths. Candidates equipped with degrees in construction management, civil engineering, or related fields have the advantage in securing these positions. Additional credentials like a CCM (Certified Construction Manager) or PMP (Project Management Professional) can enhance starting pay and advance career prospects in this competitive market. In the first few years, professionals can benefit from industry growth by strategically positioning themselves to transition to owner’s representative roles, which often offer a better work-life balance compared to traditional GC roles. With the consistent demand for construction managers and realistic salary growth projections, the field shows promising potential for those entering the industry in Waco, TX.
More salary data for Waco, 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 Waco. 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