Construction Manager Salary in Independence, KY: $101,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Independence, KY earns a median $101,816/year (≈ $48.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Independence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $114,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Construction managers in Independence, Kentucky, can anticipate a median annual salary of $101,816 in 2026, which positions this role notably below the national median of $118,923. With a salary range extending from $63,621 at the 10th percentile to $157,815 at the 90th percentile, the financial landscape for construction manager pay in Independence reflects the local economy and the demand for skilled professionals. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments, illustrating a competitive, yet distinctly localized, compensation structure. As the construction industry sees a surge in mega-projects—such as data centers and EV battery plants—employers are adjusting their compensation strategies, particularly among top ENR general contractors. Such dynamics are essential for understanding job expectations and salary frameworks in this market.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,621 | $30.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,839 | $37.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,816 | $48.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,325 | $62.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,815 | $75.87 |
Median Salary Position
14.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, KY, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,194 (2026 est.). At $101,816, the local median is 14.38% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Independence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Independence Construction Manager Pay Compares
Independence median: $101,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $102,637 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -14.38% less |
Construction Managers in Independence, KY earn a median of $101,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.38% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $102,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Independence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $101,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,016 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,557
2025 BLS Actual
$98,449
2026 Current Est.
$101,816
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,201 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,882 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,298 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $81,557 (2019) to $98,449 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,298 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,741 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $63,621 – $78,839 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,839 – $101,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,816 – $130,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,325 – $157,815 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Independence
The local job market features five construction managers in Independence, highlighting a relatively small but dedicated workforce. The cost of living in the area, with a score of 89.3, suggests that while salaries may trail behind national averages, the purchasing power remains effective for residents. Employers like Bechtel and Skanska USA, listed among the top ENR firms, typically offer salaries that are more competitive compared to regional and local contractors, especially for larger, complex projects. Notably, the variation in pay can be attributed to several factors, including project size, complexity, and the tier of the general contractors involved. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Independence, pursuing roles in high-capacity projects or transitioning towards general contractor positions can yield significant returns, particularly when engaging in development side roles as an owner’s representative or through program management firms. Strategic positioning within the construction sector will thus be key for those aspiring to enhance their construction manager pay in Independence, KY.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $98,449 for construction managersin the Independence 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
Salary data for Independence is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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