Construction Manager Salary in Amherst, MA: $139,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Amherst, MA earns a median $139,716/year (≈ $67.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $128,771 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Amherst, Massachusetts, the landscape for construction manager salaries is robust, with a projected median annual income of $139,716 in 2026. Compared to the national median of $118,923, this reflects a competitive edge in local compensation that surpasses the national average by 17.48%. The salary expectations range notably from $82,823 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $216,560 (P90), signifying opportunities for both entry-level and highly experienced professionals alike. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living considerations. Given the active market for construction in Amherst, particularly within the context of ongoing projects and new developments, construction management professionals are well-positioned to capitalize on their expertise in this thriving community.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,823 | $39.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,389 | $54.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,716 | $67.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,837 | $85.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,560 | $104.11 |
Median Salary Position
17.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,737 (2026 est.). At $139,716, the local median is 17.48% above the national median of $118,923.
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At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Construction Manager Pay Compares
Amherst median: $139,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $140,985 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +17.48% more |
Construction Managers in Amherst, MA earn a median of $139,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.48% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $140,985.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,716 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,771 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,916
2025 BLS Actual
$135,096
2026 Current Est.
$139,716
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,916 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,172 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,181 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,224 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $111,916 (2019) to $135,096 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,579 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $82,823 – $113,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,389 – $139,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,716 – $178,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,837 – $216,560 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Amherst
With only six construction managers currently employed in the area, the job market for this occupation is somewhat limited, yet it remains competitive. The cost of living index in Amherst is 108.5, slightly above the national average, which may influence overall purchasing power for those in this field. Notably, larger general contractors like Bechtel, Skanska USA, and Turner Construction are among the highest-paying employers in the region, often offering salaries reflective of the project's size and complexity. Factors such as project bonuses connected to profitability and travel premiums for out-of-town assignments contribute to the variability in pay. Construction managers looking to maximize their earnings in Amherst should consider pursuing roles that involve mega-projects, particularly within data centers or semiconductor manufacturing, as these high-demand sectors tend to offer lower stress lifestyles compared to the traditional general contracting route, yet with attractive compensation structures.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
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 $135,096 for construction managersin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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