Construction Manager Salary in Kearney, NE: $104,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Kearney, NE earns a median $104,786/year (≈ $50.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $114,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $104,786 in 2026, construction manager pay in Kearney, NE, reflects the region's unique positioning in the construction industry. The local salary range spans from $68,491 at the 10th percentile to $162,419 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance depending on experience, project complexity, and company hierarchy. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity, showcasing how Kearney stands approximately 11.89% below the national median of $118,923. This compensation landscape highlights the competitive nature of the market, particularly as the demand for skilled construction managers continues to rise due to ongoing investments in megaprojects such as data centers and EV plants.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,491 | $32.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,693 | $40.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,786 | $50.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,126 | $64.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,419 | $78.08 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,928 (2026 est.). At $104,786, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Construction Manager Pay Compares
Kearney median: $104,786/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $108,812 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -11.89% less |
Construction Managers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $104,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $108,812.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $104,786 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,936
2025 BLS Actual
$101,321
2026 Current Est.
$104,786
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,936 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,135 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,417 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $83,936 (2019) to $101,321 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,434 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $68,491 – $83,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,693 – $104,786 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,786 – $134,126 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,126 – $162,419 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Kearney
In Kearney, the construction management profession employs a relatively small but stable cohort, with only nine construction managers currently working in the area. This limited number may contribute to a tight job market, particularly appealing to candidates with specialized skills or professional certifications such as CMAA CCM or PMP. The cost of living index in Kearney is 91.5, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively intact. Employers that typically command higher wages include top ENR general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, as well as specialized contractors in mechanical and electrical trades. The disparity in pay often hinges on factors such as project size, complexity, and whether the manager is operating as an owner's representative or within a general contractor framework. For those looking to maximize earnings, consider targeting large projects that offer significant bonuses tied to performance and profitability, focusing on sectors like healthcare or data centers, which often provide premium compensation.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $101,321 for construction managersin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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