Construction Manager Salary in Irvine, CA: $135,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Irvine, CA earns a median $135,578/year (≈ $65.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $119,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Irvine, California is experiencing a significant surge in opportunities for construction managers, boasting a median annual salary of $135,578 in 2026. This figure is notable, especially when compared to the national median of $118,923, representing a robust 14% premium for professionals in the area. Salaries for construction managers in Irvine vary widely, ranging from $81,156 at the lower end to $210,146 for those in top-tier positions. The figures are projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing. As the demand for skilled managers accelerates, particularly due to the booming sectors of data centers, semiconductor fabrication, and electric vehicle battery manufacturing, those entering or advancing within this field can find lucrative prospects in Irvine's job market.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,156 | $39.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,533 | $49.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,578 | $65.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,541 | $83.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,146 | $101.03 |
Median Salary Position
14.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,990 (2026 est.). At $135,578, the local median is 14% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Construction Manager Pay Compares
Irvine median: $135,578/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,489 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +14.00% more |
Construction Managers in Irvine, CA earn a median of $135,578 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 3.90% above the California state average of $130,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,578 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,874 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,602
2025 BLS Actual
$131,095
2026 Current Est.
$135,578
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,791 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,693 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,592 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,215 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $108,602 (2019) to $131,095 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,215 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,613 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $81,156 – $103,533 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,533 – $135,578 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,578 – $173,541 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,541 – $210,146 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Irvine
With 72 construction managers currently employed in the region, the job market appears stable, although the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that higher salaries may be necessary for a comfortable lifestyle. The construction manager pay in Irvine, CA, is influenced by various factors, including the type of employer. General contractors like Bechtel, Turner Construction, and other top ENR firms often offer the highest compensation, but they may require extensive travel and long hours. In contrast, owner’s representatives typically enjoy better work-life balance while receiving competitive remuneration. The spread between lower and upper salary brackets can be attributed to project complexity, employer tier, and the presence of performance-based bonuses. For those looking to maximize their construction manager salary in Irvine, a strong emphasis on project management certifications such as CMAA CCM or PMP, along with industry experience in high-demand sectors, can be vital.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 $131,095 for construction managersin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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