Construction Manager Salary in Dover, DE: $119,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Dover, DE earns a median $119,771/year (≈ $57.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $122,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The influx of mega-projects, particularly in sectors like data centers, semiconductor fabrication, and electric vehicle battery manufacturing, is significantly shaping the construction manager salary in Dover, Delaware. For 2026, the median annual salary is projected at $119,771, which reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $118,923. Salaries are expected to range from $87,690 at the lower end to $175,524 for the highest earners. This data stems from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, highlighting the robust growth and increasing complexity of construction projects in the region, which demand experienced professionals to manage them effectively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,690 | $42.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,759 | $47.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,771 | $57.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,267 | $70.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,524 | $84.39 |
Median Salary Position
0.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,834 (2026 est.). At $119,771, the local median is 0.71% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Construction Manager Pay Compares
Dover median: $119,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $120,981 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +0.71% more |
Construction Managers in Dover, DE earn a median of $119,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.71% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.00% below the Delaware state average of $120,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $119,771 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $122,833 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,939
2025 BLS Actual
$115,810
2026 Current Est.
$119,771
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,873 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,867 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $95,939 (2019) to $115,810 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,867 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,928 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $87,690 – $99,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,759 – $119,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,771 – $146,267 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,267 – $175,524 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Dover
With approximately 50 construction managers employed in Dover, the local job market shows promise, yet the cost of living index sits below the national average at 97.507. This lower cost of living can enhance the take-home pay's purchasing power for construction managers. Notably, large general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska USA tend to offer the highest compensation, driven by the scale and complexity of projects. The salary variance can also be attributed to several factors, including project size, role type, and travel demands. Managers working on mega-projects may command base salaries exceeding $200,000, while roles tied to specialty contractors or local firms typically yield lower pay. For professionals seeking to maximize their earnings, aligning with top-tier general contractors or moving into owner’s representative roles can provide lucrative career pathways in Dover's evolving market.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 $115,810 for construction managersin the Dover 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, 5-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