Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Orange, CA: $61.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Orange, CA runs $61.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,568 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,144 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Orange, California, construction managers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $61.81 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $57.17 by 8.11%. This competitive hourly pay reflects the growth in demand for expert oversight in the region’s flourishing construction sector, particularly as mega-projects like data centers and electric vehicle battery plants gain momentum. With an hourly range spanning from $36.98 for entry-level positions to $95.81 for top earners, professionals in this field can expect varied compensation depending on their experience and the complexity of the projects they manage. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-a-week schedule, these rates can significantly impact their overall earnings, making flexibility a viable consideration for many in the profession. Per-diem workers, often found in construction site management offices or engaged in remote project coordination, benefit from this rate structure across different employment settings.
About the Orange 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) | $36.98 | $295.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.53 | $364.20 |
| Median (P50) | $61.81 | $494.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.12 | $632.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.81 | $766.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Orange
Based on $61.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.81/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Orange, CA can expect to earn approximately $128,573 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,177. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,472.57 | $10,714 | $128,573 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,483.54 | $6,429 | $77,144 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $989.03 | $4,286 | $51,429 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Orange) | $61.81 |
| 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 Orange, CA earn a median of $128,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.50% below the California state average of $130,525.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.81/hr = $77,144/year (purchasing power: $68,209).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,573/year (purchasing power: $113,681).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Orange grew 20.7% from $49.51/hr (2019) to $59.77/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.93/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 Orange 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 Orange
Analyzing hourly pay further reveals intriguing earning potentials for construction managers in Orange. For a part-time construction manager working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can still be substantial, though notably lower than what full-time counterparts make. Per-diem pay structures often allow construction managers to command rates from $100 to $180 per hour, particularly at the project management level, while senior roles like project executives can demand even higher fees, ranging from $150 to $280. The hourly pay varies distinctly based on employer types—general contractors, real estate developers, and specialized consultancy firms all offer different compensation dynamics. Many professionals face a trade-off between higher hourly pay with no benefits versus lower rates but providing health coverage and retirement plans. When negotiating pay terms, it's vital to consider both the immediate hourly rate and the long-term benefits that come with full-time positioning, aiding in effective career decisions within this thriving sector in CA.
More salary data for Orange, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in Orange in 2026?
How much do part-time construction managers make in Orange?
Are construction managers in Orange paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time construction manager make per year in Orange?
Do construction managers earn more per hour working part-time in Orange?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Orange. 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 Orange 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