Construction Manager Salary in Rochester, NY: $139,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Rochester, NY earns a median $139,555/year (≈ $67.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $143,819 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the construction manager salary in Rochester, NY, is projected to reach a median of $139,555, significantly above the national median of $118,923, indicating that the local market is not only competitive but thriving due to the significant investments in mega-projects like data centers, semiconductor fabs, and electric vehicle battery plants. With salaries ranging from $91,061 at the lower end to $223,791 for the top 10%, this data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, highlights the diverse opportunities available for skilled construction managers. The job market in Rochester remains robust, largely driven by ongoing demand for project management talent in these cutting-edge industries, which require a high level of expertise and experience.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,061 | $43.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,891 | $52.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,555 | $67.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,574 | $82.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,791 | $107.60 |
Median Salary Position
17.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,730 (2026 est.). At $139,555, the local median is 17.35% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Construction Manager Pay Compares
Rochester median: $139,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $131,904 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +17.35% more |
Construction Managers in Rochester, NY earn a median of $139,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.35% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 5.80% above the New York state average of $131,904.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $139,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,819 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,770
2025 BLS Actual
$134,940
2026 Current Est.
$139,555
2019–2027 Growth
+53.9%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 43.9% from $93,770 (2019) to $134,940 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,558 (53.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $91,061 – $108,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,891 – $139,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,555 – $171,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,574 – $223,791 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Rochester
With approximately 490 construction managers currently employed in Rochester, the local job market showcases a solid demand for experienced professionals. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 97.035, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, which sharpens purchasing power for construction manager pay in Rochester NY. Top employers such as Bechtel, Skanska USA, and AECOM consistently pay premium salaries, with package bonuses that can elevate earnings significantly depending on project complexity and performance metrics. The disparity in compensation often arises from the intricacy and scale of projects, with managers running mega-projects likely to secure much higher base salaries, while those in vendor roles or self-employed capacities may experience variability in income. To maximize pay in this environment, professionals should focus on aligning themselves with reputable general contractors and seeking out high-stakes projects, stay current with certifications like CMAA CCM and PMP, and explore opportunities in uptime roles, which tend to provide better work-life balance while still offering competitive compensation.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $134,940 for construction managersin the Rochester 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