Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Radford, VA: $63,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Radford, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,151 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Radford's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,193 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,008) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the construction management field in Radford, Virginia can expect an entry-level construction manager salary starting at around $63,151 in 2026. This marks a significant gap compared to the city's projected median salary of $100,008, but there's a clear upward trajectory for new professionals. Over the first few years, as new grads gain experience, they can anticipate moving from the entry-level pay through stages that include the 25th percentile, which is around $81,943, potentially reaching the median salary in 3-5 years. Given Radford's emerging opportunities in construction, fueled by various local projects, it presents a favorable market for fresh graduates looking to begin their careers in the field.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Radford
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 Radford
Entry-level construction managers in Radford, VA typically start between $63,151 and $81,943 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,119 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,008 — 15.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Virginia of $65,000 represents just 102.93% of the starting construction manager pay ($63,151/year) in Radford. 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 Radford
- 1Research the Radford market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $63,151 to $81,943, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Radford, 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 Radford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Radford's moderate 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 Radford is $88,119 ( 139.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,151, experienced hygienists can earn up to $151,270.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,190
2025 BLS Actual
$61,063
2026 Current Est.
$63,151
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,839 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,616 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,063 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,311 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Radford, VA grew 24.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,190 in 2019 to $61,063 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,311. New graduates entering the Radford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford 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 Radford
In Radford, several employers actively recruit new graduates for construction management roles. Large general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska typically source entry-level talent through campus pipelines, offering positions like assistant project managers while specialty contractors may prefer candidates with trade-specific backgrounds. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture increase their initial job prospects, and certifications such as the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) can further enhance their starting pay in VA. With a booming demand for construction managers, particularly for mega-projects like data centers and EV battery plants, annual pay growth is realistic in the first three years. Entry-level professionals may find themselves on a dynamic path toward promising roles with some top ENR firms offering competitive salaries combined with intense travel and long hours, or alternatively, opting for owner's representative positions which facilitate a better work-life balance while still maintaining strong compensation.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
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 Radford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Radford 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