Construction Manager Salary in Des Moines, IA: $107,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Des Moines, IA earns a median $107,474/year (≈ $51.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $117,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, the construction manager salary is projected to reach a median of $107,474 in 2026, a figure that lags behind the national median of $118,923 by about 9.63%. With a salary range running from $67,802 at the 10th percentile to as high as $208,340 for the top 90th percentile, there is significant potential for earnings based on experience and project complexity. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, where the job market in Des Moines is shaped by the presence of established general contractors and a growing demand for construction management talent. As the city approaches new construction initiatives, those entering the field may find opportunities within diverse project types, from large-scale infrastructure to specialized developments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,802 | $32.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,726 | $39.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,474 | $51.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,126 | $69.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,340 | $100.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,538 (2026 est.). At $107,474, the local median is 9.63% below the national median of $118,923.
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At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Construction Manager Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $107,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $103,739 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -9.63% less |
Construction Managers in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $107,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 3.60% above the Iowa state average of $103,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $107,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,130
2025 BLS Actual
$103,920
2026 Current Est.
$107,474
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,150 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 23.5% from $84,130 (2019) to $103,920 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,150 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,020 (32.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $67,802 – $82,726 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,726 – $107,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,474 – $144,126 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,126 – $208,340 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Des Moines
The job market for construction managers in Des Moines is robust, with approximately 1,020 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.701, allowing for a relatively comfortable lifestyle on the projected salaries, which can influence take-home purchasing power positively. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include top-tier general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska USA, as well as program management firms like Parsons and AECOM. Factors contributing to the wide pay difference include the complexity and scale of projects managed, particularly in mega-projects linked to data centers and semiconductor facilities, where management roles can demand salaries exceeding $200,000. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential, pursuing positions at established general contractors or transitioning to owner's representative roles can provide substantial benefits, often coupled with more favorable work-life balance considerations.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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 $103,920 for construction managersin the Des Moines 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