Construction Manager Salary in Chelsea, MA: $139,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Chelsea, MA earns a median $139,706/year (≈ $67.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Chelsea's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $128,761 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chelsea, Massachusetts, the construction manager salary is projected to reach $139,706 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $118,923. This figure reflects the high demand for construction managers in the area, particularly due to the ongoing mega-project boom, which includes data centers, semiconductor fabs, and electric vehicle battery plants. Salaries range from $86,854 at the lower end (P10) to $216,544 at the upper end (P90), demonstrating considerable variance in pay that corresponds to project size and complexity. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, and provide a clear insight into the competitive compensation landscape for construction management professionals in Chelsea.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,854 | $41.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,961 | $51.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,706 | $67.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,824 | $85.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,544 | $104.10 |
Median Salary Position
17.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelsea
In Chelsea, MA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,690 (2026 est.). At $139,706, the local median is 17.48% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelsea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelsea Construction Manager Pay Compares
Chelsea median: $139,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelsea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $140,975 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +17.48% more |
Construction Managers in Chelsea, MA earn a median of $139,706 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 $140,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelsea has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelsea, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,706 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,761 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,908
2025 BLS Actual
$135,086
2026 Current Est.
$139,706
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Chelsea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,172 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,133 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,484 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelsea metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $111,908 (2019) to $135,086 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,484 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,576 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelsea 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) | $86,854 – $107,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,961 – $139,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,706 – $178,824 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,824 – $216,544 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Chelsea
With only six construction managers employed in Chelsea, the job market is relatively small yet promising. The cost of living index in the area is 108.5, indicating that housing and other expenses are slightly elevated compared to the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Employers like Bechtel, Skanska USA, and Turner Construction, noted for their work on high-profile projects, tend to offer the highest salaries. The breadth in construction manager pay stems from various factors, including project scale, complexity, and whether a manager is employed by a top-tier general contractor or works for a real estate developer as an owner's representative. The potential to maximize earnings lies in targeting larger projects or roles that involve significant bonuses tied to project profitability. Understanding the nuances of pay structures and actively pursuing opportunities with larger firms or more complex projects can significantly enhance one's earning potential in Chelsea, MA.
More salary data for Chelsea, 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 $135,086 for construction managersin the Chelsea 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 Chelsea 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