Construction Manager Salary in Union City, NJ: $135,113 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Union City, NJ earns a median $135,113/year (≈ $64.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $117,286 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the construction manager salary in Union City, NJ is projected to be $135,113, which is notably higher than the national median of $118,923, representing a pay premium of 13.61%. Salaries in this competitive market range from $86,962 at the lower end to an impressive $209,426 for top earners. Estimates provided are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting the robust demands of the local construction landscape. Given Union City's proximity to major metropolitan areas, the market exhibits strong financing and investment activity, driving substantial opportunities for skilled construction managers, especially with mega-projects poised to reshape the industry.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,962 | $41.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,841 | $51.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,113 | $64.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,945 | $83.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,426 | $100.69 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,464 (2026 est.). At $135,113, the local median is 13.61% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Construction Manager Pay Compares
Union City median: $135,113/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $137,032 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +13.61% more |
Construction Managers in Union City, NJ earn a median of $135,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $137,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,113 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,286 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,229
2025 BLS Actual
$130,645
2026 Current Est.
$135,113
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,229 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,353 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,113 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $108,229 (2019) to $130,645 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,505 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $86,962 – $106,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,841 – $135,113 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,113 – $172,945 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,945 – $209,426 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Union City
Employers in Union City include a mix of prominent general contractors, specialty contractors, and real estate developers, with top ENR firms typically offering the highest compensation packages. Of the 17 construction managers employed in the area, those working under industry leaders such as Bechtel and Turner Construction can expect salaries skewed toward the upper tier due to increased project complexity and size. However, the cost of living in Union City, with a cost of living index of 115.2, means that despite competitive salaries, the local purchasing power may be impacted. To maximize construction manager pay in Union City, professionals might consider focusing on roles that deal with high-stakes projects, pursue certifications like CMAA CCM or PMP for credibility, and target opportunities with top-tier firms while seeking roles that offer performance bonuses tied to project profitability.
More salary data for Union City, NJ:
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 $130,645 for construction managersin the Union City 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 Union City 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