Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Boston, MA: $77.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Boston, MA runs $77.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $161,821 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Boston's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.3, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $97,098 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, the construction manager hourly pay is notably high, with a median rate of $77.80 per hour, significantly above the national median of $57.17. This robust hourly pay reflects not only the high demand for skilled professionals in the face of Boston's booming construction market but also the increasing complexity of projects, such as those involving data centers and EV battery plants. For part-time construction managers working three days a week, this translates to approximately $59,760 annually, while per-diem workers could find themselves earning between $100 to $180 an hour, depending on experience and specialization. The hourly pay range also shows a diverse spectrum, with entry-level positions starting around $52.64, while more experienced managers can command rates up to $108.32, according to the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.64 | $421.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.76 | $518.09 |
| Median (P50) | $77.80 | $622.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.53 | $692.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.32 | $866.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boston
Based on $77.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.80/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boston, MA can expect to earn approximately $161,830 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,363. With a cost-of-living index of 108.27 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,112.11 | $13,486 | $161,830 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,867.27 | $8,091 | $97,098 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,244.85 | $5,394 | $64,732 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Boston) | $77.80 |
| 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 Boston, MA earn a median of $161,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.07% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 14.80% above the Massachusetts state average of $140,959.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.80/hr = $97,098/year (purchasing power: $89,685).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $161,830/year (purchasing power: $149,474).
CoL index: 108.266 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Boston grew 48.2% from $50.77/hr (2019) to $75.23/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $80.46/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 Boston 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 Boston
When analyzing earning potential, the part-time construction manager earning $77.80 per hour brings home a solid income, yet it pales in comparison to full-time compensation, which attracts many professionals to stay committed to longer hours despite the grind. Per-diem construction manager pay in Boston varies widely depending on project scope and the contractor’s reputation. While agency roles can net higher rates, such as $200 to $400 per hour for owner's rep positions, the trade-off often lies in the lack of benefits that come with freelance or consulting work. Employers such as Bechtel and Skanska USA frequently offer competitive rates with additional health benefits, making direct comparisons to self-employed contracts a calculation of both monetary and non-monetary gains. Construction managers in Boston who are savvy about negotiating can enhance their earning capabilities, often intensifying the pursuit of higher wages in exchange for time flexibility or reduced commitment to long-term projects. Understanding these factors is crucial for navigating a successful career in Boston’s evolving construction market.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 Boston. 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