Construction Manager Salary in Iowa City, IA: $101,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Iowa City, IA earns a median $101,052/year (≈ $48.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $110,428 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals pursuing a career as a construction manager in Iowa City, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $101,052, a figure that reflects an attractive career path given the current high demand for experienced managers. Additionally, the 2026 salary range for this role spans from $66,809 at the 10th percentile to $207,212 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for substantial earnings in this sector. Data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that while local compensation is approximately 15% lower than the national median of $118,923, the city's unique cost-of-living index of 91.509 suggests that living expenses are manageable, making it an appealing environment for those considering a pivot from general contractor project management roles to in-house owner’s representative positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,809 | $32.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,052 | $48.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,206 | $67.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,212 | $99.62 |
Median Salary Position
15.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,403 (2026 est.). At $101,052, the local median is 15.03% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Iowa City Construction Manager Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $101,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $103,749 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -15.03% less |
Construction Managers in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $101,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.03% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 2.60% below the Iowa state average of $103,749.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $101,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,428 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,240
2025 BLS Actual
$97,710
2026 Current Est.
$101,052
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,508 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 29.9% from $75,240 (2019) to $97,710 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,268 (38.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $66,809 – $79,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,820 – $101,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,052 – $140,206 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,206 – $207,212 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Iowa City
A total of 140 construction managers are employed in Iowa City, contributing to a robust job market for the role. The relatively low cost of living means that salaries stretch further, enhancing take-home pay for those in this profession. Top-tier employers such as Bechtel and Turner Construction often provide the highest compensation, typically reserved for substantial, complex projects that command premium rates. Factors that influence salary variations include the scale and intricacy of projects, bonus structures tied to profitability, and the nature of the employer—whether it's a general contractor, specialty contractor, or a private equity firm. For those looking to maximize their earnings, seeking roles on large-scale projects or considering positions with top-ranked GCs could be advantageous. Additionally, embracing owner’s representative roles can offer a more balanced lifestyle while maintaining competitive pay, acting as a strategic choice in Iowa City's evolving construction landscape.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
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Can construction managers make $100K in Iowa City?
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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 $97,710 for construction managersin the Iowa City 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