Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $61.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Lake Forest, CA runs $61.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,142 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,886 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction manager hourly pay in Lake Forest, California, is projected to reach a median of $61.61 per hour, surpassing the national median of $57.17 per hour by approximately 7.75%. This competitive rate allows for flexible career opportunities, particularly for part-time professionals who may work three days a week, enabling them to optimize earnings while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Construction managers operate in various environments, including jobsite offices, corporate settings focused on preconstruction activities, and hybrid roles that leverage modern tools like Primavera P6 and Building Information Modeling (BIM). With the hourly earnings ranging from $38.96 at the entry level to $95.49 for top earners, there's room for growth based on a professional's experience and skills, reflecting the high demand for capable management in ongoing construction projects.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.96 | $311.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.04 | $376.28 |
| Median (P50) | $61.61 | $492.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.86 | $630.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.49 | $763.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $61.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.61/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $128,143 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,929. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,464.29 | $10,679 | $128,143 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,478.58 | $6,407 | $76,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $985.72 | $4,271 | $51,257 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Lake Forest) | $61.61 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.88 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $46.55 |
| Cost Estimator (National Avg) | $37.53 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Construction (National Avg) | $38.11 |
Construction Managers in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $128,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.75% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.80% below the California state average of $130,490.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.61/hr = $76,886/year (purchasing power: $67,980).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,143/year (purchasing power: $113,301).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Lake Forest grew 20.7% from $49.35/hr (2019) to $59.57/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem construction managers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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.
Working as an Hourly Construction Manager in Lake Forest
Part-time construction managers working a typical 24-hour week can anticipate earnings substantially lower than their full-time counterparts. For instance, while a full-time schedule yields compensation reflective of the annual median, part-timers’ income is comparatively diminished. Those seeking additional flexibility may look into per-diem work, often billing from $100 to $180 per hour at the project manager level, with senior roles demanding even higher rates—sometimes up to $400 per hour for specialty advisement. The type of employer can significantly influence pay; for instance, top ENR-ranked general contractors typically offer salaries that include full benefits but may also involve longer hours and extensive travel. Conversely, owner’s representatives often have the chance for higher hourly wages with fewer demands on personal time. It's essential for construction managers in Lake Forest to strategically negotiate, balancing between immediate hourly gains and long-term benefits, such as health coverage, which can shape their overall career trajectories.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for construction managers in Lake Forest. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Forest 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