Construction Manager Salary in Carrboro, NC: $102,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Carrboro, NC earns a median $102,788/year (≈ $49.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $109,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual pay for construction managers in Carrboro, North Carolina, is projected at $102,788, highlighting a competitive yet localized salary landscape compared to the national median of $118,923. Salaries in this area can range significantly, from $62,317 at the lower end to as high as $156,140 for the most experienced professionals. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, reflecting not just the local demand for construction management but also the potential career transitions between general contractor project management and owner's representative roles. Carrboro's evolving job market presents opportunities for construction managers to thrive, particularly with the ongoing growth in infrastructure projects and specialization driven by the mega-project boom.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,317 | $29.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,659 | $40.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,788 | $49.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,980 | $62.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,140 | $75.07 |
Median Salary Position
13.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,823 (2026 est.). At $102,788, the local median is 13.57% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carrboro Construction Manager Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $102,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,001 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -13.57% less |
Construction Managers in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $102,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.57% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $109,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $102,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,336
2025 BLS Actual
$99,389
2026 Current Est.
$102,788
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,336 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,995 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,668 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,455 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,389 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,303 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $82,336 (2019) to $99,389 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,967 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $62,317 – $84,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,659 – $102,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,788 – $129,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,980 – $156,140 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Carrboro
The job market in Carrboro features six construction managers, indicating a small but specialized workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, professionals can expect their take-home pay to stretch further than in many higher-cost markets, potentially enhancing their overall compensation. Among local employers, larger general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA may offer the most lucrative opportunities, particularly in extensive infrastructure projects that demand significant expertise. In Carrboro, the disparity between lower and higher construction manager salaries often arises from the complexity of projects undertaken and the tier of the general contractor. For those aiming to maximize their pay in this market, focusing on project size, securing roles with top-tier ENR firms, and considering owner's representative positions could prove beneficial, especially as demand for specialized management continues to grow.
More salary data for Carrboro, 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 $99,389 for construction managersin the Carrboro 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 Carrboro 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