Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, NH: $58.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Portsmouth, NH runs $58.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,438 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,466 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Portsmouth, NH mirrors a competitive market for construction manager hourly pay, with a median rate of $58.87 per hour in 2026. This surpasses the national median of $57.17 per hour, reflecting Portsmouth's unique economic environment and cost of living factors. For construction managers working part-time, such as on a three-day work week, this translates to an attractive earning potential while allowing for greater work-life balance. Hourly rates can vary widely, from $37.70 for entry-level positions to $89.22 for the most experienced professionals in the field. Estimated hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, making them a key consideration for those working in various settings, including remote coordination, on-site project management, and within corporate offices that require flexible scheduling.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.70 | $301.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.16 | $369.25 |
| Median (P50) | $58.87 | $470.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.45 | $595.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.22 | $713.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $58.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.87/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, NH can expect to earn approximately $122,443 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,640. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,354.67 | $10,204 | $122,443 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,412.80 | $6,122 | $73,466 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $941.87 | $4,081 | $48,977 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Portsmouth) | $58.87 |
| 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 Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $122,438 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $127,539.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.87/hr = $73,466/year (purchasing power: $68,467).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,443/year (purchasing power: $114,112).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Portsmouth grew 33.6% from $42.59/hr (2019) to $56.92/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.88/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Looking at part-time earning potential, a construction manager working 24 hours a week in Portsmouth can expect significantly less total income annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem roles are increasingly popular, with professionals billing between $100 and $180 per hour at the project management level. Senior consultants might command fees that range from $150 to $280 per hour, while specialized expertise in high-demand sectors such as data centers or semiconductor plants could fetch rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly pay can also fluctuate based on employer type; general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska may offer competitive salaries but demand intense schedules, while in-house roles with real estate developers or boutique firms often balance lower pay with more predictable hours and included benefits. Construction managers in Portsmouth need to navigate these differences carefully, considering whether to prioritize higher hourly wages without benefits or a more stable role with reduced hours but health insurance coverage. Negotiating rates effectively can be crucial; clear communication of skills and past project successes often helps in securing better compensation in the local construction climate.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in Portsmouth in 2026?
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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 Portsmouth. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Portsmouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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