Construction Manager Salary in Waterbury, CT: $130,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Waterbury, CT earns a median $130,702/year (≈ $62.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $130,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The construction manager salary in Waterbury, CT, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $130,702 in 2026, reflecting the city's responsiveness to the booming demand for mega-projects, particularly in data centers, semiconductor fabs, and electric vehicle battery plants. Salaries in this field range from $86,707 at the 10th percentile to $180,995 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse compensation structure influenced by project complexity and employer tier. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and indicate that construction managers in Waterbury can expect to earn competitive pay, particularly as employers seek experienced professionals to manage sprawling, intricate projects. The robust job market in this sector positions Waterbury well amid Connecticut's evolving construction landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,707 | $41.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,158 | $49.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,702 | $62.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,086 | $78.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,995 | $87.02 |
Median Salary Position
9.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,288 (2026 est.). At $130,702, the local median is 9.9% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterbury Construction Manager Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $130,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $134,467 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +9.90% more |
Construction Managers in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $130,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.90% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 2.80% below the Connecticut state average of $134,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $130,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,993 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,190
2025 BLS Actual
$126,380
2026 Current Est.
$130,702
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 9.7% from $115,190 (2019) to $126,380 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,982 (17.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $86,707 – $102,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,158 – $130,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,702 – $164,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,086 – $180,995 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Waterbury
In Waterbury, 310 construction managers are currently employed, reflecting a healthy job market bolstered by the rapidly developing infrastructure sector. The area’s cost of living index, at 99.778, indicates a manageable living expense for residents, enhancing take-home purchasing power relative to other regions. Top employers include general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, known for higher salaries due to the scale of their projects. The pay gap observed within the sector can largely be attributed to factors such as project size, the tier of the general contractor, and employee roles, with mega-project managers often earning significantly higher salaries due to their handling of high-stakes developments. For those seeking to maximize compensation in Waterbury, securing positions with top ENR firms and specializing in sectors like healthcare or data centers can lead to more lucrative opportunities, alongside potential bonuses dependent on project performance and profitability.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
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 $126,380 for construction managersin the Waterbury 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