Construction Manager Salary in San Jose, CA: $168,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in San Jose, CA earns a median $168,616/year (≈ $81.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $152,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 29.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual construction manager salary in San Jose, CA, reaching $168,616 in 2026, this city's compensation is notably higher than the national median of $118,923, reflecting a significant premium of 41.79%. The salary ranges from $101,248 at the 10th percentile to $258,540 at the 90th percentile, providing ample opportunity for seasoned professionals to negotiate or aim for elevated earnings. These insights are derived from data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and underscore the vibrant job market for construction management talent within San Jose. Given the accelerated growth in infrastructure projects, particularly in sectors like data centers and electric vehicle manufacturing, candidates can anticipate strong demand for their skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,248 | $48.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,213 | $62.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,616 | $81.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,740 | $99.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $258,540 | $124.30 |
Median Salary Position
41.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $157,292 (2026 est.). At $168,616, the local median is 41.79% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Jose Construction Manager Pay Compares
San Jose median: $168,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $130,508 | +29.20% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +41.79% more |
Construction Managers in San Jose, CA earn a median of $168,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.79% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 29.20% above the California state average of $130,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,616 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,700 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,960
2025 BLS Actual
$163,040
2026 Current Est.
$168,616
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.8% from $134,960 (2019) to $163,040 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,423 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $101,248 – $129,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,213 – $168,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,616 – $207,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,740 – $258,540 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in San Jose
Examining the local job market, approximately 1,850 construction managers are currently employed in San Jose, CA. However, it's crucial to consider the cost of living index of 110.423, which indicates that although salaries are high, the purchasing power may be diminished compared to other areas. Employers that typically offer higher pay include top-tier general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, which not only provide competitive salaries but also comprehensive benefits. Project size and complexity, as well as the organization's prestige, can lead to a wide range of compensation; for instance, positions tied to mega-projects can exceed $200,000 annually. Professionals looking to maximize their earnings in this competitive market should consider specializing in in-demand areas such as healthcare construction or project management for data centers, along with pursuing certifications like CMAA CCM or PMP, which are valued by top employers in the region.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in San Jose, CA in 2026?
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Can construction managers make $100K in San Jose?
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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 $163,040 for construction managersin the San Jose 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