Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Columbia, TN: $49.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Columbia, TN runs $49.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,233 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,346 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Columbia, Tennessee, construction managers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $49.16 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $57.17. This rate reflects the realities of part-time work, where a construction manager working three days a week could earn a decent wage while still enjoying a flexible schedule. Typical settings for this role include construction site project management trailers, general contractor corporate offices, and remote work involving project management software like Primavera P6 and BIM coordination. For those in Columbia, hourly pay ranges from $29.25 for entry-level positions to $76.18 for top earners, highlighting the income potential across their career stages. As salaries in this sector are derived from annual salary data, this hourly framework gives a clearer picture of daily earnings and budgeting for potential construction managers in the area.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.25 | $233.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.97 | $295.78 |
| Median (P50) | $49.16 | $393.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.91 | $503.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.18 | $609.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $49.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.16/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, TN can expect to earn approximately $102,243 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,987. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,966.22 | $8,520 | $102,243 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,179.73 | $5,112 | $61,346 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $786.49 | $3,408 | $40,897 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Columbia) | $49.16 |
| 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 Columbia, TN earn a median of $102,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.03% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $104,854.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.16/hr = $61,346/year (purchasing power: $66,826).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,243/year (purchasing power: $111,376).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Columbia grew 20.7% from $39.37/hr (2019) to $47.53/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.84/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
Examining the potential earnings for construction managers working part-time reveals a stark contrast compared to those in full-time roles. A construction manager who works a standard 24 hours a week would take home approximately $61,000 annually, which is still respectable but far less than their full-time peers. Additionally, the per diem compensation model is prevalent in the industry; construction managers often find per diem construction manager pay in Columbia ranges from $100 to $180 per hour, depending on their level of expertise. Senior project executives and consultants may bill even higher, with rates between $150 and $280 per hour. This variation illustrates how compensation can differ across various employer types in Columbia, such as top ENR general contractors versus in-house owner's representatives for real estate developers. When negotiating hourly wages, construction managers should consider the trade-off between higher pay without benefits versus stable positions with benefits, as major firms and program management companies often offer comprehensive packages.
More salary data for Columbia, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in Columbia in 2026?
How much do part-time construction managers make in Columbia?
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Related Pages
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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 Columbia. 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 Columbia 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