Construction Manager Salary in Asheville, NC: $108,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Asheville, NC earns a median $108,632/year (≈ $52.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $112,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As Asheville continues to capitalize on the mega-project boom, including developments in data centers, semiconductor fabs, and EV battery plants, the projected 2026 median annual salary for construction managers is $108,632. This figure positions local pay approximately 8.65% below the national median of $118,923, but offers a substantial range from $69,622 at the lower end to $173,890 at the high end. These insights derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating the competitive regional market in a city where the demand for skilled construction managers is on the rise. Such trends not only reflect the burgeoning infrastructure needs in Asheville, NC, but also highlight the growing importance of experienced professionals in effectively managing complex projects.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,622 | $33.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,783 | $42.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,632 | $52.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,179 | $67.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,890 | $83.60 |
Median Salary Position
8.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,268 (2026 est.). At $108,632, the local median is 8.65% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Asheville Construction Manager Pay Compares
Asheville median: $108,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,069 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -8.65% less |
Construction Managers in Asheville, NC earn a median of $108,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 0.40% below the North Carolina state average of $109,069.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $108,632 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,565 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,690
2025 BLS Actual
$105,040
2026 Current Est.
$108,632
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 30.2% from $80,690 (2019) to $105,040 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,658 (39.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $69,622 – $87,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,783 – $108,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,632 – $141,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,179 – $173,890 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Asheville
With 470 construction managers currently employed in Asheville, the local job market is robust despite a cost-of-living index of 96.506, which is below the national average. This index suggests that while salaries may lag slightly behind the national figures, purchasing power remains relatively favorable, allowing for a quality lifestyle. Among local employers, top-tier general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska USA have a reputation for offering competitive compensation, although the demands often come with extended hours and travel obligations. In contrast, owner's representatives in real estate development may provide more manageable work-life balance while maintaining comparable pay. Factors driving the salary disparity include project complexity, the tier of the general contractor, and potential bonuses tied to project profitability. To maximize earnings, construction managers in Asheville should consider focusing on larger projects, pursuing advanced certifications like CMAA CCM or PMP, and strategically navigating their career paths to transition between general contractor and owner's representative roles.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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 $105,040 for construction managersin the Asheville 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