Construction Manager Salary in Downey, CA: $132,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Downey, CA earns a median $132,153/year (≈ $63.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Downey's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $116,846 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, construction managers in Downey, California can expect a median annual salary of $132,153, showcasing a competitive edge over the national median of $118,923. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from a lower end of $76,649 at the 10th percentile to a substantial $204,838 at the 90th percentile, indicating growth potential in this market. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data, which have also been adjusted for regional price differentials. Downey's position in the proximity of multiple mega-projects and high-profile general contractors may further influence salary dynamics, creating favorable conditions for construction management professionals.
About the Downey Market
Salary estimated from California average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,649 | $36.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,153 | $63.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,156 | $81.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,838 | $98.48 |
Median Salary Position
11.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downey
In Downey, CA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,189 (2026 est.). At $132,153, the local median is 11.12% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downey Construction Manager Pay Compares
Downey median: $132,153/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,457 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +11.12% more |
Construction Managers in Downey, CA earn a median of $132,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.12% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.30% above the California state average of $130,457.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downey has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downey, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,153 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,846 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,858
2025 BLS Actual
$127,783
2026 Current Est.
$132,153
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Downey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,858 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,992 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,892 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downey metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $105,858 (2019) to $127,783 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,815 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downey 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) | $76,649 – $101,600 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,600 – $132,153 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,153 – $169,156 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,156 – $204,838 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Downey
The local job market reflects a strong demand for construction professionals, with 22 construction managers currently employed in the Downey area. Given a cost-of-living index of 113.1, compensation here is tailored to address significant living costs, which can affect take-home pay. Among the highest-paying employers in Downey are top ENR-ranked general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, known to offer competitive salaries, albeit often accompanied by rigorous work schedules and travel commitments. Conversely, roles with real estate developers as in-house owner's representatives might provide a more favorable work-life balance while maintaining similar compensation levels. Factors contributing to the salary spread include project complexity, contractor tier, and bonus structures linked to project success, meaning that to maximize earnings, professionals should focus on gaining experience with larger projects and consider strategic career shifts toward general contracting or owner's representative roles.
More salary data for Downey, 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 $127,783 for construction managersin the Downey 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 Downey 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