Construction Manager Salary in Opelika, AL: $103,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Opelika, AL earns a median $103,121/year (≈ $49.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $117,316 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Opelika, Alabama, construction managers can anticipate a median annual salary of $103,121 in 2026, a figure that reflects a competitive position relative to national averages. The overall salary range for this role extends from $68,233 at the 10th percentile to as high as $159,838 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, highlighting the local job market's nuances. While this salary is slightly lower than the national median of $118,923, the cost of living in Opelika—comprised of a cost-of-living index of 87.9, indicating affordability—allows for a favorable purchasing power for construction managers compared to other regions.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,233 | $32.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,735 | $39.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,121 | $49.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,995 | $63.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,838 | $76.84 |
Median Salary Position
13.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,605 (2026 est.). At $103,121, the local median is 13.29% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Construction Manager Pay Compares
Opelika median: $103,121/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $96,646 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -13.29% less |
Construction Managers in Opelika, AL earn a median of $103,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.29% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 6.70% above the Alabama state average of $96,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $103,121 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,316 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,603
2025 BLS Actual
$99,711
2026 Current Est.
$103,121
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,962 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,106 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,711 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $82,603 (2019) to $99,711 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,045 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,233 – $82,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,735 – $103,121 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,121 – $131,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,995 – $159,838 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Opelika
Currently, Opelika maintains a modest employment pool of seven construction managers, a figure that reflects both the size of the local construction market and general economic conditions. Given the current cost of living, construction manager pay in Opelika AL allows professionals to achieve a reasonable standard of living without the financial pressures seen in higher-cost urban areas. Employers in the region, particularly top-tier general contractors and specialized firms, tend to pay higher salaries, with substantial compensation often being linked to project size and complexity. To maximize earning potential, proactive strategies include seeking positions with larger ENR-ranked firms, where salaries tend to be elevated due to the scale of projects and associated bonuses. Additionally, pursuing roles with developers or program management firms can provide similar financial benefits with improved work-life balance, particularly in the context of the ongoing mega-project boom in sectors like data centers and electric vehicle plants.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,711 for construction managersin the Opelika metropolitan area. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Opelika 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