Construction Manager Salary in Buffalo, NY: $131,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Buffalo, NY earns a median $131,912/year (≈ $63.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $137,632 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Buffalo, NY, can expect a median annual income of $131,912, representing a competitive edge over the national average of $118,923. With salaries ranging from $80,668 at the lower end to a high of $196,984 for the top earners, the compensation structure reflects the city's robust construction landscape. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the appeal of both general contract management and owner's representative roles. Construction management positions here offer a tradeoff: while leading general contractors may command higher salaries, owner’s reps typically enjoy a better work-life balance, which appeals to many experienced professionals navigating career shifts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,668 | $38.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,130 | $49.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,912 | $63.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,500 | $79.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,984 | $94.70 |
Median Salary Position
10.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,316 (2026 est.). At $131,912, the local median is 10.92% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Construction Manager Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $131,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $118,923 | +10.92% more |
Construction Managers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $131,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% higher than the national median of $118,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $131,912 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,632 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,690
2025 BLS Actual
$127,550
2026 Current Est.
$131,912
2019–2027 Growth
+59.2%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 48.9% from $85,690 (2019) to $127,550 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,734 (59.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $80,668 – $103,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,130 – $131,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,912 – $164,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,500 – $196,984 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Buffalo
The employment landscape for construction managers in Buffalo is vibrant, with 390 professionals currently in the field. Given the local cost-of-living index of 95.844, take-home pay in Buffalo goes further, allowing for a solid lifestyle while working on significant projects. Top salaries are often found within established general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, but specialty contractors and real estate developers also compete for talent, especially at the project management level. The disparity in salaries often arises from factors such as project complexity, which favors experienced managers overseeing mega-projects, and the associated bonuses tied to profitability. For those in the Buffalo market, strategies such as pursuing certifications like CMAA CCM or PMP, networking within top ENR firms, and considering roles that offer travel premium can effectively boost earnings potential in this dynamic environment.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $127,550 for construction managersin the Buffalo 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