Construction Manager Salary in Lincoln, NE: $102,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Lincoln, NE earns a median $102,448/year (≈ $49.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $111,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Lincoln, Nebraska, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $102,448, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $118,923. The salary range varies significantly, spanning from $65,320 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $166,030 at the upper end (90th percentile). This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Given the competitive nature of construction management—especially with large general contractors ranking high on the ENR list—these salary figures highlight the importance of project scope, contractor reputation, and regional market conditions in determining compensation for construction managers in Lincoln.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,320 | $31.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,536 | $39.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,448 | $49.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,920 | $61.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,030 | $79.82 |
Median Salary Position
13.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,710 (2026 est.). At $102,448, the local median is 13.85% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Construction Manager Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $102,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $108,871 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -13.85% less |
Construction Managers in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $102,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.85% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 5.90% below the Nebraska state average of $108,871.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $102,448 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,320
2025 BLS Actual
$99,060
2026 Current Est.
$102,448
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,952 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 35.1% from $73,320 (2019) to $99,060 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,632 (44.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $65,320 – $81,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,536 – $102,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,448 – $127,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,920 – $166,030 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Lincoln
On the ground, Lincoln's job market supports around 600 construction managers, reflecting a robust demand driven in part by ongoing infrastructure projects and the city's growing economy. The cost of living index sits at 91.581, which is below the national average of 100. This lower cost of living can enhance purchasing power and quality of life for construction managers, making the position increasingly attractive. Among local employers, larger general contractors—especially those engaged in mega-projects like data centers—tend to offer higher compensation. Factors influencing pay disparities include project complexity, with specialized sectors like healthcare and technology offering premium pay opportunities. For those aiming to maximize their construction manager pay in Lincoln, pursuing roles with top-tier firms or gaining expertise in lucrative specialties, alongside considering the owner’s rep career path, may be advantageous given the evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Lincoln, NE in 2026?
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Lincoln?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Lincoln?
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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 $99,060 for construction managersin the Lincoln 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
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