Construction Manager Salary in Chico, CA: $123,752 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Chico, CA earns a median $123,752/year (≈ $59.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $122,288 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, the financial outlook for construction managers remains robust, with a median annual salary estimated at $123,752 by 2026. This figure reflects a noticeable increase compared to the national median of $118,923, indicating a premium for skilled professionals in the region. The salary range for construction managers in Chico is broad, with entry-level positions starting around $82,229 and top-earning managers making upwards of $182,867. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights the competitive nature of the construction management field. In Chico, the demand for experienced managers, particularly those specializing in large-scale projects, is expected to grow, making it a strategic time for career advancement in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,229 | $39.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,490 | $47.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,752 | $59.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,193 | $73.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,867 | $87.92 |
Median Salary Position
4.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,638 (2026 est.). At $123,752, the local median is 4.06% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Construction Manager Pay Compares
Chico median: $123,752/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,540 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +4.06% more |
Construction Managers in Chico, CA earn a median of $123,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.06% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 5.20% below the California state average of $130,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,752 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,288 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,680
2025 BLS Actual
$119,660
2026 Current Est.
$123,752
2019–2027 Growth
+62.7%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,752 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 52.1% from $78,680 (2019) to $119,660 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,305 (62.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $82,229 – $99,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,490 – $123,752 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,752 – $152,193 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,193 – $182,867 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Chico
The local job market features approximately 140 construction managers, revealing a healthy employment landscape for aspiring professionals. The cost-of-living index in Chico, at 101.197, suggests that while the living expenses are slightly above the national average, the construction manager pay in Chico, CA, helps offset these costs. Employers such as Bechtel, Skanska USA, and Turner Construction often lead the market in compensation, offering salaries that reflect the project's complexity and size. The discrepancy in pay among construction managers can often be attributed to various factors, including the tier of the general contractor, specific project demands, and whether the manager is working in-house for a developer or as an independent contractor. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Chico, pursuing positions with top-tier GCs or transitioning to owner’s representative roles could provide a better work-life balance while maintaining competitive pay.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can construction managers make $100K in Chico?
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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 $119,660 for construction managersin the Chico 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
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