Construction Manager Salary in Manchester, CT: $135,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Manchester, CT earns a median $135,577/year (≈ $65.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $125,651 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, professionals in Manchester, CT, can expect a construction manager salary averaging $135,577, reflecting the city's competitive compensation landscape. This aligns with a salary range that spans from $80,736 to $210,145, indicating robust opportunities for experienced managers to negotiate wages based on their expertise and the complexity of their projects. The figures presented here are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to meet regional cost considerations. In a market driven by the expansion of large infrastructure projects, Manchester provides a strong foothold for construction managers across various levels of experience and project involvement.
About the Manchester Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,736 | $38.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,731 | $49.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,577 | $65.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $173,539 | $83.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,145 | $101.03 |
Median Salary Position
14.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, CT, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,409 (2026 est.). At $135,577, the local median is 14% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manchester Construction Manager Pay Compares
Manchester median: $135,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $134,501 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +14.00% more |
Construction Managers in Manchester, CT earn a median of $135,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 0.80% above the Connecticut state average of $134,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,577 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,651 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,601
2025 BLS Actual
$131,094
2026 Current Est.
$135,577
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,601 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,739 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,021 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,094 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $108,601 (2019) to $131,094 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,613 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $80,736 – $102,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,731 – $135,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,577 – $173,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $173,539 – $210,145 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Manchester
The job market in Manchester, where 11 construction managers are currently employed, is influenced by a cost-of-living index of 107.9, which suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, the purchasing power might be impacted by living expenses. General contractors, especially those on the ENR top-100 list like Bechtel and Turner Construction, typically offer the highest pay, while specialty contractors and program management firms also play a significant role in determining compensation packages. Factors that contribute to wage variability include project size and complexity, with larger mega-projects often yielding significantly higher salaries. To maximize construction manager pay in Manchester, candidates should consider pursuing roles with prominent firms or transitioning from a general contractor to an owner's representative position, which often provides a more favorable work-life balance alongside competitive compensation.
More salary data for Manchester, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Manchester, CT in 2026?
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Can construction managers make $100K in Manchester?
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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 $131,094 for construction managersin the Manchester 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 Manchester 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