Construction Manager Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $97,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $97,281/year (≈ $46.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $107,612 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As Cedar Falls positions itself as a hub for mega-projects like data centers and semiconductor fabs, the construction manager salary in Cedar Falls reflects this growth with a median annual figure of $97,281. This salary range, spanning from $57,526 at the 10th percentile to $150,785 at the 90th percentile, provides a comprehensive view of compensation for those in this role. These estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, consider regional price adjustments reflecting the local economy. As demand intensifies, those with expertise in handling complex projects are poised to benefit significantly, making Cedar Falls a competitive market for seasoned construction managers.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,526 | $27.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,922 | $37.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,281 | $46.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,520 | $59.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,785 | $72.50 |
Median Salary Position
18.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,259 (2026 est.). At $97,281, the local median is 18.2% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Construction Manager Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $97,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $103,711 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -18.20% less |
Construction Managers in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $97,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.20% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 6.20% below the Iowa state average of $103,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $97,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,612 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$77,924
2025 BLS Actual
$94,064
2026 Current Est.
$97,281
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,924 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,495 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,894 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,558 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,064 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,608 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $77,924 (2019) to $94,064 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,684 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $57,526 – $78,922 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,922 – $97,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,281 – $124,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,520 – $150,785 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, the local job market currently employs eight construction managers, which indicates a tight-knit community where networking can significantly boost career prospects. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, the purchasing power here is greater than in many national contexts, allowing construction managers to better utilize their earnings. Employers such as Bechtel and Turner Construction—leaders in the ENR top-100 rankings—often offer higher pay scales with extensive benefits, which can involve long hours and travel, while in-house owner's representative roles provide a more balanced lifestyle with competitive compensation. The variance in construction manager pay in Cedar Falls is driven by project size and complexity, ranging from mega-project management at $200k+ bases to tiered earnings based on employer type, project profitability, and unique specialty markets like healthcare or industrial projects. For those looking to maximize compensation, it’s advisable to cultivate relationships with top-tier general contractors or consider pivoting to owner’s rep positions, thereby aligning skillsets with the current demand in Cedar Falls IA.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Cedar Falls, IA in 2026?
Is Cedar Falls, IA a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Cedar Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Cedar Falls?
How much does a construction manager make per hour in Cedar Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $94,064 for construction managersin the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls 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