Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $65.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Los Angeles, CA runs $65.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,183 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,713 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Los Angeles, construction managers can expect a median hourly rate of $65.48, significantly outperforming the national median of $57.17. This higher pay reflects the robust construction market in the city, driven by ongoing mega-projects in sectors like data centers and semiconductor fabs. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the potential earnings can be appealing, particularly when engaging in per-diem arrangements at construction site project management trailers or corporate offices. The hourly range for construction managers in this region extends from $37.66 at the entry level to $105.57 for top earners, showcasing the variety of experiences and responsibilities in different settings, including hybrid and remote work schedules as well as on-site supervision opportunities.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.66 | $301.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.14 | $401.10 |
| Median (P50) | $65.48 | $523.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.69 | $653.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.57 | $844.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $65.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.48/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $136,188 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,570. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,619.01 | $11,349 | $136,188 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,571.40 | $6,809 | $81,713 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,047.60 | $4,540 | $54,475 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Los Angeles) | $65.48 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $136,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.51% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 4.30% above the California state average of $130,569.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.48/hr = $81,713/year (purchasing power: $71,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,188/year (purchasing power: $119,920).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Los Angeles grew 11.5% from $56.79/hr (2019) to $63.31/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.71/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Analyzing the part-time earning potential reveals that a construction manager working 24 hours a week may earn around $66,825 annually, whereas full-time employment typically yields a higher gross income, reflecting a standard 40-hour week. The market for per-diem construction manager pay in Los Angeles is robust, often billing at rates from $100 to $180 per hour for project management roles, with even higher rates for specialized senior positions. Differences in hourly rates across employers, such as general contractors and specialty contractors, can lead to negotiations favoring higher pay but potentially lacking benefits. It's common for construction management professionals to trade off hourly rates for comprehensive health coverage in some cases. When negotiating hourly pay, focusing on previous project success, industry certifications like CMAA or PMP, and the growing demand for seasoned managers can provide leverage in a competitive market.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in Los Angeles in 2026?
How much do part-time construction managers make in Los Angeles?
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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 Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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