Construction Manager Salary in Dubuque, IA: $105,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Dubuque, IA earns a median $105,737/year (≈ $50.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $121,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, Iowa, construction managers can expect a median annual salary of $105,737 in 2026, reflecting the region's robust growth propelled by the emerging mega-project boom in data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, and electric vehicle battery plants. This upward trajectory in construction manager pay in Dubuque comes with a salary range that spans from $64,534 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $180,706 for top earnings (P90), as derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. These figures underscore the potential for significant compensation tied to the critical demand for skilled professionals who can manage these large-scale initiatives, thereby illustrating the potential for lucrative opportunities within this evolving market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,534 | $31.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,388 | $38.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,737 | $50.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,424 | $66.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,706 | $86.88 |
Median Salary Position
11.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,172 (2026 est.). At $105,737, the local median is 11.09% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dubuque Construction Manager Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $105,737/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $103,765 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -11.09% less |
Construction Managers in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $105,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.09% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.90% above the Iowa state average of $103,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $105,737 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,080 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,710
2025 BLS Actual
$102,240
2026 Current Est.
$105,737
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 15.3% from $88,710 (2019) to $102,240 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,643 (23.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $64,534 – $80,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,388 – $105,737 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,737 – $137,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,424 – $180,706 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Dubuque
Currently, there are around 80 construction managers employed in Dubuque, which indicates a competitive job market. The cost of living index in the area is measured at 87.328, suggesting that while construction manager salaries in Dubuque might lag behind the national average, the relatively lower cost of living enhances take-home purchasing power. Among the better-paying employers in the region, top general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska USA often offer attractive compensation packages. Factors contributing to salary variations include project complexity, with mega-project leads often earning above $200,000, and the tier of the contractor. For construction managers in Dubuque seeking to optimize their pay, transitioning into specialized areas such as health care or data center projects, or pursuing roles with top-tier general contractors or owner's representatives can be strategic moves given the current salary dynamics in the market.
More salary data for Dubuque, 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 $102,240 for construction managersin the Dubuque 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