Construction Manager Salary in Waterloo, IA: $95,250 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Waterloo, IA earns a median $95,250/year (≈ $45.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $109,411 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, Iowa, construction managers can expect a median annual salary of $95,250 in 2026, a figure that reflects the local demand for skilled professionals in a market influenced by large-scale projects. The salary range for this role spans from $71,763 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $156,878 at the upper end (90th percentile). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that while pay is competitive within the region, it notably trails the national median of $118,923 by nearly 20%. As construction in Waterloo grows, particularly with the ongoing mega-project boom, the potential for salary increases remains promising for those engaged in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,763 | $34.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,798 | $39.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,250 | $45.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,207 | $54.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,878 | $75.42 |
Median Salary Position
19.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,115 (2026 est.). At $95,250, the local median is 19.91% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterloo Construction Manager Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $95,250/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $103,758 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -19.91% less |
Construction Managers in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $95,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.91% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $103,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $95,250 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,411 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,370
2025 BLS Actual
$92,100
2026 Current Est.
$95,250
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,250 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,507 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 40.9% from $65,370 (2019) to $92,100 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,507 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,137 (50.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $71,763 – $82,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,798 – $95,250 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,250 – $114,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,207 – $156,878 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Waterloo
With approximately 110 construction managers employed in Waterloo, the local job market is relatively stable, though the cost of living is indexed at 87.057, which suggests that purchasing power may be better than in higher-cost regions. Among employers, top-tier general contractors often offer the most competitive packages, including Bechtel and Skanska USA, while specialty contractors focus on trade-specific needs. The variations in pay can be linked to factors such as project complexity, the scale of endeavors, and the tier of the contracting firm. To maximize earning potential, construction managers should consider ascending to roles that involve mega-project oversight, where salaries can exceed established median figures, or pivot to owner's rep positions for potentially improved work-life balance and salary features.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can construction managers make $100K in Waterloo?
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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 $92,100 for construction managersin the Waterloo 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