Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $66.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Santa Ana, CA runs $66.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,286 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,978 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, construction managers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $66.49 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $57.17. This competitive hourly wage positions the role favorably for both full-time professionals and those looking for part-time or per-diem opportunities. For instance, a construction manager working three days a week can expect to earn a substantial income while balancing personal commitments. The hourly pay scale ranges from $38.57 for entry-level positions to $103.05 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the varying levels of expertise across different work environments such as construction site project management trailers, corporate offices, and remote positions that involve advanced scheduling tools like Primavera P6 and BIM coordination. This flexibility is attractive for those seeking a work-life balance in a booming sector.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $38.57 | $308.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.41 | $387.29 |
| Median (P50) | $66.49 | $531.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85.10 | $680.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.05 | $824.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $66.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.49/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $138,297 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,786. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,659.55 | $11,525 | $138,297 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,595.73 | $6,915 | $82,978 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,063.82 | $4,610 | $55,319 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Santa Ana) | $66.49 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $138,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.28% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 6.00% above the California state average of $130,458.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.49/hr = $82,978/year (purchasing power: $73,367).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,297/year (purchasing power: $122,278).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Santa Ana grew 20.7% from $53.26/hr (2019) to $64.29/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.76/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Exploring the earning potential in Santa Ana entails understanding the realities of part-time and per-diem work as a construction manager. An individual working 24 hours a week at the median hourly pay would bring home roughly $83,723 annually, a figure that demonstrates the viability of part-time roles in construction management. Moreover, per-diem construction managers tend to command higher wages, often billing around $100-$180 per hour at the project management level and even more for senior roles. For roles such as owner's reps and development consultants, rates can surge to $200-$400 per hour, especially in the context of high-demand projects like data centers and EV manufacturing plants. The varying rates among employers—ranging from top-tier general contractors to specialized firms—also affect income potential. Some managers may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, whereas others prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those in Santa Ana, negotiating hourly rates effectively becomes crucial, particularly as competition grows in this prosperous construction market.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in Santa Ana in 2026?
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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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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