Construction Manager Salary in Kentucky: $104,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median construction manager pay sits at $104,334/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 11-9021. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $116,835 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($108,190), Louisville/Jefferson County ($101,780), Bowling Green ($101,400).
In Kentucky, the average median salary for construction managers in 2026 is projected to be $104,334, which is 12.3% lower than the national median of $118,923. Within the state, the highest-paying city is Louisville at $111,890, while Owensboro offers the lowest at $94,681, highlighting a salary gap of $17,209. This difference can largely be attributed to various economic factors, including the concentration of larger projects and the local cost of living, which can influence hiring practices. Kentucky has specific licensing requirements that construction managers must meet, along with regulations that govern the scope of practice. These regulations can impact job responsibilities and salary expectations. Demand for construction managers is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.42%, indicating steady opportunities in the field. With a total employment of 2,138 construction managers across 21 metro areas, cities like Louisville/Jefferson County ($105,261), Bowling Green ($104,868), and Lexington ($104,258) show promising salary rates and job prospects. The overall job market in Kentucky reflects a stable environment for construction management, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and population growth in urban areas.
Kentucky Construction Manager Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $51,203 (lowest entry-level) to $220,522 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky construction managers earn 12.27% less than the national median ($-14,589/year difference).
Kentucky Construction Manager Salary Distribution (2026)
Construction Manager salaries in Kentucky range from $58,405 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $203,837 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,334. The Kentucky median is $14,589 below the US national median of $118,923. The average hourly rate is $50.16/hr. Approximately 2,138 construction managers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,535
2025 BLS Actual
$100,884
2026 Current Est.
$104,334
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,535 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,896 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,249 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 33.6% from $75,535 (2019) to $100,884 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,367 (42.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Owensboro | $94,681 |
| Elizabethtown | $95,519 |
| Murray | $95,988 |
| Jeffersontown | $97,428 |
| Madisonville | $97,771 |
Best Value Cities for Construction Managers in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for construction managers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $111,890 | 89.3 | $125,297 |
| Paducah | $101,000 | 86.084 | $117,327 |
| Bowling Green | $104,868 | 90.179 | $116,289 |
| Ashland | $103,294 | 89.3 | $115,671 |
| Independence | $101,816 | 89.3 | $114,016 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $58,405 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,334 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $203,837 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $111,890 |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $105,261 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $104,868 |
| 4 | Lexington | $104,258 |
| 5 | Ashland | $103,294 |
| 6 | Independence | $101,816 |
| 7 | Florence | $101,696 |
| 8 | Covington | $101,266 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | $101,075 |
| 10 | Richmond | $101,052 |
| 11 | Paducah | $101,000 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $100,534 |
| 13 | Henderson | $100,366 |
| 14 | Hopkinsville | $100,008 |
| 15 | Radcliff | $98,482 |
| 16 | Georgetown | $98,136 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $97,771 |
| 18 | Jeffersontown | $97,428 |
| 19 | Murray | $95,988 |
| 20 | Elizabethtown | $95,519 |
| 21 | Owensboro | $94,681 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore construction manager hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new construction managers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced construction managers.
Explore More Construction Manager Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for construction managers in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky construction manager pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level construction manager salary in Kentucky?
How many construction managers are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for construction managers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 construction manager compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more construction managerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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