Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $45.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Waterloo, IA runs $45.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,250 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,151 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for a construction manager is $45.79, which is notably lower than the national median of $57.17. This hourly rate offers considerable opportunities for part-time and per-diem work, making it ideal for professionals who prefer flexibility in their schedules. A construction manager operating on a part-time basis, such as three days a week, can earn a competitive income while managing tasks from construction site project management to remote BIM coordination. The hourly earnings vary significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $34.50 and top earners reaching $75.42, reflecting the skill level and responsibilities associated with the role. Finding work in diverse settings—ranging from general contractor corporate offices to on-site supervision—further influences earning potential in this profession based on specific project needs.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.50 | $276.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.81 | $318.45 |
| Median (P50) | $45.79 | $366.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.91 | $439.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.42 | $603.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $45.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.79/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $95,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,953. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,831.78 | $7,938 | $95,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,099.07 | $4,763 | $57,151 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $732.71 | $3,175 | $38,101 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Waterloo) | $45.79 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $95,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.91% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $103,758.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.79/hr = $57,151/year (purchasing power: $65,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,252/year (purchasing power: $109,414).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Waterloo grew 40.9% from $31.43/hr (2019) to $44.28/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.36/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
For those contemplating a part-time role, working 24 hours a week could yield around $55,000 annually, a figure competitive for many professionals, and particularly attractive when compared to the demanding full-time schedules typical in construction management. Some construction managers also explore per-diem arrangements that can offer considerably higher rates, with current market billing rates from $100 to $180 per hour for project management roles. Senior positions can command even more, reaching up to $500 per hour for specialized expertise on mega-projects. This disparity often leads professionals to negotiate based on the type of employer—general contractors versus real estate developers or boutique firms. Although the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower but more stable compensation packages may influence decisions, effective negotiation can maximize earnings while securing necessary protections like health insurance. Understanding the diverse hiring landscape in Waterloo can also inform salary discussions, highlighting the demand for experienced managers, especially as the region experiences a boom in infrastructure development.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
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 Waterloo. 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