Construction Manager Salary in Gastonia, NC: $108,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Gastonia, NC earns a median $108,502/year (≈ $52.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $115,921 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Gastonia, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $108,502, reflecting the area's growing emphasis on large-scale projects such as data centers and EV battery plants. Salaries in this field span a range from $66,681 at the lower end to $168,179 for top earners, based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. Despite being around 8.76% below the national median of $118,923, the sustained investment in mega-projects in Gastonia's job market indicates a robust demand for skilled construction management professionals, contributing positively to future salary growth in this sector.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,681 | $32.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,518 | $40.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,502 | $52.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,883 | $66.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,179 | $80.85 |
Median Salary Position
8.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,498 (2026 est.). At $108,502, the local median is 8.76% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Construction Manager Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $108,502/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,047 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -8.76% less |
Construction Managers in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $108,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.76% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 0.50% below the North Carolina state average of $109,047.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $108,502 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,921 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,913
2025 BLS Actual
$104,914
2026 Current Est.
$108,502
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,913 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,225 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,708 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,875 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $86,913 (2019) to $104,914 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,300 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $66,681 – $83,518 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,518 – $108,502 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,502 – $138,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,883 – $168,179 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Gastonia
Although there are currently 16 construction managers employed in Gastonia, the competitive nature of the local job market highlights the strategic importance of both the employers and the cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, workers in the area find themselves with favorable purchasing power, which complements construction manager pay. General contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, known for their significant contributions to mega-projects, tend to offer the highest salaries. The variation in construction manager pay in Gastonia can also be attributed to the complexity of projects, employer tier level, and the potential for bonuses linked to project profitability. To maximize compensation, professionals should consider roles with leading general contractors or transitioning to ownership representative positions, which often provide a balanced lifestyle alongside competitive earnings.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $104,914 for construction managersin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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