Construction Manager Hourly Pay in San Mateo, CA: $63.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in San Mateo, CA runs $63.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against San Mateo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,145 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In San Mateo, construction managers are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $63.42 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $57.17. This premium suggests that local professionals enjoy not just competitive compensation but also a thriving network of job opportunities. For part-time construction managers working three days a week, such as those in project management or serving as owner's representatives, this hourly rate translates to a solid income while allowing for a balanced work-life scenario. The range of hourly compensation varies widely, from $36.78 at the entry-level to $98.29 for top earners, with hourly rates estimated based on annual salary figures. Various environments, from bustling jobsite management trailers to corporate preconstruction offices, and even remote roles involving advanced tools like Primavera P6 and BIM coordination, underline the diversity in application and compensation across this role.
About the San Mateo 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) | $36.78 | $294.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.98 | $399.86 |
| Median (P50) | $63.42 | $507.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.17 | $649.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.29 | $786.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Mateo
Based on $63.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.42/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Mateo, CA can expect to earn approximately $131,908 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,101. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Mateo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Mateo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,536.69 | $10,992 | $131,908 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,522.01 | $6,595 | $79,145 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.67 | $4,397 | $52,763 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (San Mateo) | $63.42 |
| 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 San Mateo, CA earn a median of $131,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.91% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.10% above the California state average of $130,465.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.42/hr = $79,145/year (purchasing power: $69,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,908/year (purchasing power: $116,629).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in San Mateo grew 20.7% from $50.80/hr (2019) to $61.32/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.59/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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo
Considering part-time work specifically, a construction manager in San Mateo earning a median hourly wage would take home approximately $79,000 annually based on a 24-hour work week. However, many seasoned professionals in this field opt for per-diem contracts, which often bill anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour for project management or consulting roles, increasing their potential earnings significantly. For those engaging in agency work or senior consulting positions, rates can soar to between $150 and $280 per hour. Additionally, specialized expertise in high-demand areas such as semiconductor or data center projects can command rates as high as $250 to $500 hourly. Employment at larger general contractors or specialized entities typically offers stable salaries with benefits, whereas self-employed practitioners might receive higher hourly wages but forgo health benefits. This dynamic provides a unique decision-making opportunity for construction managers in San Mateo, where negotiating for hourly pay often comes down to balancing immediate financial gain against long-term benefits and stability in a competitive job market.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in San Mateo in 2026?
How much do part-time construction managers make in San Mateo?
Are construction managers in San Mateo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time construction manager make per year in San Mateo?
Do construction managers earn more per hour working part-time in San Mateo?
Related Pages
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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 San Mateo. 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 San Mateo 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