Construction Manager Salary in Kernersville, NC: $108,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Kernersville, NC earns a median $108,057/year (≈ $51.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $115,446 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Kernersville, North Carolina, can anticipate a median annual salary of $108,057. This figure sits below the national median of $118,923, reflecting a slight disparity in compensation despite regional cost adjustments. The salary range for construction managers in the area spans from $67,293 at the 10th percentile to $167,489 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability in pay dependent on experience and job complexity. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that while the salaries are competitive, there is a trade-off between job responsibilities, lifestyle choices, and potential earnings, particularly when comparing positions within general contracting firms versus those on the owner's representative side in the growing Kernersville job market.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,293 | $32.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,503 | $40.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,057 | $51.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,314 | $66.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,489 | $80.52 |
Median Salary Position
9.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,196 (2026 est.). At $108,057, the local median is 9.14% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kernersville Construction Manager Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $108,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,039 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -9.14% less |
Construction Managers in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $108,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.14% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $109,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville 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.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $108,057 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,446 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,557
2025 BLS Actual
$104,484
2026 Current Est.
$108,057
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,301 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,316 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,753 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $86,557 (2019) to $104,484 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,196 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $67,293 – $83,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,503 – $108,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,057 – $138,314 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,314 – $167,489 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Kernersville
When exploring construction manager pay in Kernersville, NC, it is essential to consider the local job market's dynamics. With only six construction managers currently employed in the area, opportunities may be limited, yet the relatively low cost-of-living index of 93.6 enhances take-home purchasing power for residents. Major employers attracting top-tier talent include general contractors such as Bechtel and Turner Construction, who are known for higher salaries commensurate with the demands of large-scale projects. Variability in compensation can stem from factors such as project scope, company tier within the ENR rankings, and the complexity of assignments. To maximize earning potential, construction managers can focus on skill development in project management certifications (e.g., CMAA CCM, PMP) and consider roles with companies offering performance bonuses tied to project profitability. By aligning their skills with market demands—especially in the booming fields like data centers and electric vehicle plants—professionals can navigate their careers toward lucrative opportunities in Kernersville.
More salary data for Kernersville, 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 $104,484 for construction managersin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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