Construction Manager Salary in Union, NJ: $138,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Union, NJ earns a median $138,303/year (≈ $66.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Union's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $120,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Construction managers in Union, NJ, can anticipate a median annual salary of $138,303 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $118,923—representing a 16.30% increase. Salaries in this field range from $82,588 at the 10th percentile to $214,369 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied demands of the role in the context of complex projects. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, incorporating regional cost adjustments, which account for the area's higher-than-average cost of living. As the construction industry witnesses a surge in mega-projects, including data centers and electric vehicle plants, the demand for skilled construction managers is likely to remain robust.
About the Union Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,588 | $39.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,968 | $50.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,303 | $66.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,027 | $85.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,369 | $103.06 |
Median Salary Position
16.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union
In Union, NJ, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,781 (2026 est.). At $138,303, the local median is 16.3% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union Construction Manager Pay Compares
Union median: $138,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $136,933 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +16.30% more |
Construction Managers in Union, NJ earn a median of $138,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $136,933.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,303 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,055 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,784
2025 BLS Actual
$133,729
2026 Current Est.
$138,303
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Union (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,784 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,017 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,005 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,017 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,816 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,729 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $110,784 (2019) to $133,729 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,248 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $82,588 – $104,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,968 – $138,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,303 – $177,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,027 – $214,369 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Union
The challenging job market in Union, where 15 construction managers are currently employed, reveals a nuanced financial situation for professionals in the field. With a cost of living index of 115.2, take-home pay may feel diminished compared to national standards. Employers that typically offer competitive wages include nationally recognized general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, as well as real estate developers seeking in-house owner's representatives. Significant disparities in pay can arise based on project size and complexity; mega-project managers often command salaries exceeding $200,000 due to their heightened responsibilities. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider specializing in areas like healthcare or data center management, where premiums exist, and should seek opportunities with top-tier firms noted in the ENR rankings. A strategic approach focusing on the balance between high-paying contractor roles and lifestyle-enhanced owner's representative positions can lead to a more favorable outcome in construction manager pay in Union, NJ.
More salary data for Union, 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 $133,729 for construction managersin the Union 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 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