Construction Manager Salary in Brea, CA: $123,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Brea, CA earns a median $123,831/year (≈ $59.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $109,488 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Brea, California can expect a median annual salary of $123,831, reflecting the region's burgeoning demand driven by mega-projects in data centers, semiconductor fabrication, and EV battery manufacturing. With a salary range extending from $78,342 at the 10th percentile up to $191,938 at the 90th percentile, these figures suggest a robust market for construction management professionals in this area. Brea's compensation offers a slight edge over the national median of $118,923, suggesting that local conditions, including the influx of high-stakes projects, contribute to competitive pay scales. Given the ongoing construction boom, Brea is well-positioned to attract skilled construction managers, indicating a favorable job market for those looking to advance their careers in this dynamic environment.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,342 | $37.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,695 | $46.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,831 | $59.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,504 | $76.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,938 | $92.28 |
Median Salary Position
4.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,596 (2026 est.). At $123,831, the local median is 4.13% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Construction Manager Pay Compares
Brea median: $123,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,486 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +4.13% more |
Construction Managers in Brea, CA earn a median of $123,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.13% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 5.10% below the California state average of $130,486.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,831 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $109,488 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,192
2025 BLS Actual
$119,736
2026 Current Est.
$123,831
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,191 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,972 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $99,192 (2019) to $119,736 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,874 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $78,342 – $96,695 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,695 – $123,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,831 – $158,504 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,504 – $191,938 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Brea
Currently, there are 10 construction managers employed in Brea, CA, which points to a niche yet resilient local job market. While the area's cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, it underscores the importance of compensation packages that align with local economic conditions. Employers such as Bechtel, Turner Construction, and AECOM are known to offer some of the highest salaries, particularly for managers involved in complex projects. The variation in construction manager salary in Brea can largely be attributed to factors such as project size and complexity, the tier of the general contractor, and the structure of bonuses tied to project profitability. For construction managers aiming to maximize their pay in Brea, pursuing roles with top-tier contractors, considering owner’s representative positions, or focusing on specialization areas such as healthcare or industrial projects are strategic moves that can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
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 $119,736 for construction managersin the Brea 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 Brea 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