Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Washington, DC: $64.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Washington, DC runs $64.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.9, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,448 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the construction manager hourly pay in Washington, DC stands at a robust $64.46, significantly surpassing the national median of $57.17. This competitive rate translates to lucrative opportunities for both full-time and part-time professionals in various construction settings, including jobsite management offices, corporate preconstruction areas, and hybrid environments that require advanced project management skills using tools like Primavera P6. For those interested in part-time work, a typical schedule of three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can yield a substantial income. The hourly range for construction managers in Washington spans from $43.02 at entry-level positions to an impressive $103.01 for top earners, reflecting the diverse landscape of the industry as it responds to ongoing growth, particularly in mega-projects such as data centers and electric vehicle battery plants.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.02 | $344.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.72 | $413.76 |
| Median (P50) | $64.46 | $515.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.75 | $646.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.01 | $824.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $64.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.46/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, DC can expect to earn approximately $134,080 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,354. With a cost-of-living index of 108.88 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,578.47 | $11,173 | $134,080 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,547.08 | $6,704 | $80,448 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,031.39 | $4,469 | $53,632 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Washington) | $64.46 |
| 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 Washington, DC earn a median of $134,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.75% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 3.60% below the District of Columbia state average of $139,091.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.46/hr = $80,448/year (purchasing power: $73,884).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,080/year (purchasing power: $123,141).
CoL index: 108.884 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Washington grew 24.9% from $49.92/hr (2019) to $62.33/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.67/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 Washington 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 Washington
When considering part-time earnings, a construction manager working three days a week can potentially take home approximately $81,672 annually, which remains appealing compared to full-time counterparts. However, many construction managers also explore per-diem opportunities, which can substantially increase earning potential. Rates for contracted positions often range from $100 to $180 per hour for project management roles, while senior construction management consultants and specialty experts in high-demand sectors like semiconductor fabs can command between $150 and $500 per hour. Through various employment avenues—ranging from general contractors like Bechtel to in-house owner representatives at real estate firms—hourly rates vary widely, influenced by employer type and project complexity. For those weighing the benefits of hourly jobs, lower rates that include health insurance often offer a trade-off for a more stable lifestyle, whereas higher pay with no benefits poses a different set of challenges. Negotiating hourly compensation in Washington requires a clear understanding of the regional standards and leveraging industry experience to achieve favorable terms.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Washington. 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