Construction Manager Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $101,830 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $101,830/year (≈ $48.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Elmhurst, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $101,830, reflecting the area's burgeoning opportunities in mega-projects such as data centers and EV battery plants. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $64,047 at the lower end (P10) to $157,838 at the upper tier (P90). These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data with adjustments for regional pricing, highlight a substantial career potential for construction managers in Elmhurst, especially given the city's strategic position in the construction of transformative projects that require robust management expertise. As companies ramp up investment in high-tech infrastructure, the need for experienced construction managers is likely to grow, creating a promising job market in the area.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,047 | $30.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,158 | $38.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,343 | $62.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,838 | $75.88 |
Median Salary Position
14.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,791 (2026 est.). At $101,830, the local median is 14.37% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmhurst Construction Manager Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $101,830/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $107,643 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -14.37% less |
Construction Managers in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $101,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $107,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $101,830 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,569
2025 BLS Actual
$98,463
2026 Current Est.
$101,830
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,569 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,213 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,895 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,823 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,830 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,313 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $81,569 (2019) to $98,463 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,313 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,744 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $64,047 – $79,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,158 – $101,830 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,830 – $130,343 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,343 – $157,838 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Elmhurst
On the ground, there are currently nine construction managers employed in Elmhurst, IL, indicating a focused but potentially lucrative local job market. The cost of living index, estimated at 97.1, suggests that while salaries might fall short of the national average, the purchasing power remains competitive, benefiting those who secure these roles. Prominent employers in Elmhurst include top general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, which typically offer the higher end of the pay spectrum, alongside trade contractors and developers who might prioritize project managers with specialized skill sets. The salary differences often align with project complexity, company tier, and additional benefits tied to project success. Construction managers aiming to maximize their pay in this competitive market may consider targeting opportunities with larger firms or pursuing roles as owner's representatives, which can lead to better work-life balance without sacrificing financial rewards.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
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 $98,463 for construction managersin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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