Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $54.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Lake Charles, LA runs $54.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,304 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,386 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the hourly pay for construction managers reaches a median of $54.00, slightly below the national average of $57.17. This hourly rate provides flexibility for those in the field, including part-time workers and per-diem professionals. With typical schedules often allowing for three days a week, a construction manager could effectively balance work and personal commitments while earning a competitive wage. For entry-level positions, the hourly rate starts at approximately $30.84, escalating to $81.33 per hour for top earners within the profession. Working across various environments—from jobsite management trailers to corporate offices and hybrid roles—construction managers engage in critical project management tasks, ultimately benefiting from this official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data as they plan their careers in 2026.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.84 | $246.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.87 | $374.96 |
| Median (P50) | $54.00 | $431.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.96 | $527.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.33 | $650.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $54.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.00/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $112,311 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,795. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,159.82 | $9,359 | $112,311 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,295.89 | $5,616 | $67,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $863.93 | $3,744 | $44,924 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Lake Charles) | $54.00 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $112,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 3.60% above the Louisiana state average of $108,401.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.00/hr = $67,386/year (purchasing power: $78,491).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,311/year (purchasing power: $130,819).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Lake Charles grew 24.1% from $42.08/hr (2019) to $52.21/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.84/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
Exploring the part-time potential, a construction manager working 24 hours a week could take home a substantive income, highlighted by the possibility of earning $33,792 annually versus a full-time counterpart. Additionally, the flexibility of per-diem work often draws experienced professionals, with billing rates reaching $100-$180 per hour for project management and upwards of $200-$400 for senior consulting roles. Various employers contribute to the nuanced hourly pay landscape in Lake Charles; general contractors and specialty firms often compete for skilled individuals, while owner’s representatives provide alternative pathways without the same travel commitments. Some construction managers may accept lower rates in exchange for health benefits, revealing the balancing act many face between hourly compensation and job perks. For those seeking negotiation strategies, showcasing unique qualifications and experience can be instrumental in obtaining favorable rates and terms in such a competitive environment.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
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 Lake Charles. 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