Construction Manager Salary in Wilmington, NC: $107,360 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Wilmington, NC earns a median $107,360/year (≈ $51.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $111,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected construction manager salary in Wilmington for 2026 is set at $107,360, which is approximately 9.72% lower than the national median of $118,923. The salary range for this position reflects a wide disparity, with earnings expected to fall between $68,536 at the 10th percentile and $177,769 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a competitive landscape for construction managers in Wilmington, particularly as the area experiences growth in mega-projects like data centers and EV battery plants. The presence of top-tier general contractors and a thriving local construction market enhances job opportunities, making construction management a lucrative career option in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,536 | $32.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,139 | $41.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,360 | $51.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,192 | $68.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,769 | $85.47 |
Median Salary Position
9.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,233 (2026 est.). At $107,360, the local median is 9.72% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Construction Manager Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $107,360/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,106 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -9.72% less |
Construction Managers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $107,360 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.72% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.60% below the North Carolina state average of $109,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $107,360 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,900
2025 BLS Actual
$103,810
2026 Current Est.
$107,360
2019–2027 Growth
+15.8%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,360 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 8.2% from $95,900 (2019) to $103,810 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,132 (15.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $68,536 – $86,139 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,139 – $107,360 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,360 – $142,192 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,192 – $177,769 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Wilmington
Wilmington's job market includes about 830 construction managers, highlighting a demand for skilled professionals within the region. The cost of living index is currently at 96.422, slightly lower than the national average, suggesting that take-home salaries can translate to decent purchasing power. Among local employers, major players include distinguished general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, which tend to provide higher salaries and robust benefits but may require longer hours and travel commitments. Conversely, in-house roles with real estate developers or program management firms can offer a more balanced lifestyle while still providing competitive compensation. Factors such as project scale, complexity, and whether positions are with leading general contractors or smaller boutique firms contribute significantly to the pay disparity. To maximize earnings, construction managers in Wilmington should focus on obtaining relevant certifications like CMAA, stay updated on industry trends, and consider roles that allow for career advancement within top-tier firms or relocation for bigger projects.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $103,810 for construction managersin the Wilmington 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