Construction Manager Salary in Charlotte, NC: $110,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Charlotte, NC earns a median $110,866/year (≈ $53.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $113,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Charlotte, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $110,866. This figure represents a competitive position within the market, especially when considering the salary range from $71,318 at the lower end to $181,213 at the higher end, as detailed by projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Although this salary does fall approximately 6.77% below the national median of $118,923 for the same year, local employment opportunities remain robust. Charlotte’s construction job market is poised for growth, driven by ongoing projects and a notable demand for experienced professionals in the wake of a surge in mega-projects, particularly data centers and EV battery plants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,318 | $34.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,602 | $39.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,866 | $53.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,626 | $70.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,213 | $87.12 |
Median Salary Position
6.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,895 (2026 est.). At $110,866, the local median is 6.77% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlotte Construction Manager Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $110,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,013 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -6.77% less |
Construction Managers in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $110,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.70% above the North Carolina state average of $109,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $110,866 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,886 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,150
2025 BLS Actual
$107,200
2026 Current Est.
$110,866
2019–2027 Growth
+5.0%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew -1.8% from $109,150 (2019) to $107,200 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,508 (5.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $71,318 – $82,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,602 – $110,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,866 – $145,626 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,626 – $181,213 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Charlotte
With around 5,450 construction managers currently employed in Charlotte, the cost of living index at 97.348 indicates that potential take-home pay can stretch further compared to many metropolitan areas. The area's top-paying employers typically include general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, as well as specialized firms focusing on mechanical and electrical trades. These employers often offer pay premiums based on project size and complexity, which could mean significant earnings for those managing mega-projects. For those looking to maximize their pay in Charlotte, pursuing owner’s representative roles can be advantageous due to the improved lifestyle balance they offer, albeit with competitive compensation. Understanding the nuances of project types and aligning skill sets with employer needs in this dynamic market can help construction managers enhance their value in Charlotte, NC.
More salary data for Charlotte, 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 $107,200 for construction managersin the Charlotte 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