Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $64.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $64.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,133 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,880 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, construction managers earn a median hourly pay of $64.01, significantly above the national median of $57.17. This competitive rate positions them well for various employment scenarios, particularly in flexible work environments. Contractors operating on a part-time basis, typically working three days per week, can expect to earn a substantial hourly wage that translates effectively into their overall income. The hourly range for this role varies from $42.30 for entry-level positions to $86.95 for the most experienced managers, showcasing the potential for career advancement within jobsite offices, corporate headquarters for preconstruction phases, or even remote work settings involving project management tools like Primavera P6. These official BLS projections reflect the evolving dynamics of construction management in the region throughout 2026.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.30 | $338.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.43 | $395.48 |
| Median (P50) | $64.01 | $512.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.41 | $611.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.95 | $695.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $64.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.01/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $133,134 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,808. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,560.27 | $11,094 | $133,134 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,536.16 | $6,657 | $79,880 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,024.11 | $4,438 | $53,254 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Santa Cruz) | $64.01 |
| 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 Cruz, CA earn a median of $133,133 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.95% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 2.00% above the California state average of $130,522.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.01/hr = $79,880/year (purchasing power: $72,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,134/year (purchasing power: $121,145).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Santa Cruz grew 10.4% from $56.05/hr (2019) to $61.89/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.20/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 Cruz 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 Cruz
Looking at the earning potential of construction managers in a part-time setting, one can anticipate an annual income based on a 3-day week schedule could yield approximately $79,920, significantly less than a full-time commitment. Many professionals in this field also seek per-diem or contract positions where billing rates can vary dramatically. Current market rates for per diem construction manager pay in Santa Cruz commonly range from $100 to $180 per hour, with senior project executives and specialized consultants in areas like data centers and semiconductor facilities commanding rates as high as $400 per hour. Hourly rates can differ across employer types; major general contractors like Bechtel and Turner often provide competitive pay with benefits, while owner’s representatives may offer more favorable work-life balance at slightly lower rates. To maximize their compensation, construction managers should weigh the advantages of health insurance and benefits against the prospect of higher hourly rates that often come with contract or self-employed positions, carefully negotiating terms that align with their career goals.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz. 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