Construction Manager Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $113,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $113,025/year (≈ $54.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $120,753 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $113,025, reflecting the competitive market for this role. With a salary range spanning from $65,554 at the lower end (P10) to $175,188 at the top (P90), these figures highlight the variations based on experience, project complexity, and organizational structure. Nationally, the median for construction managers stands at $118,923, indicating that Winston-Salem's pay is slightly below the national average by approximately 4.96%. Local estimates were derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which influences the overall compensation package. Given the ongoing demand in the construction sector, particularly driven by mega-projects, Winston-Salem presents a unique job market for construction professionals aiming for specialization or career shifts between general contracting and owner's representation.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,554 | $31.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,926 | $39.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,025 | $54.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,671 | $69.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,188 | $84.23 |
Median Salary Position
4.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,634 (2026 est.). At $113,025, the local median is 4.96% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Construction Manager Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $113,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,097 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -4.96% less |
Construction Managers in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $113,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.96% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $109,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $113,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,753 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,536
2025 BLS Actual
$109,287
2026 Current Est.
$113,025
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,536 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,447 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,287 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $90,536 (2019) to $109,287 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,354 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $65,554 – $81,926 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,926 – $113,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,025 – $144,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,671 – $175,188 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Winston-Salem
The job market in Winston-Salem consists of about 59 construction managers, reflecting a solid presence in a region where the cost of living index is notably lower at 93.6 compared to the national average. This favorable cost environment allows for enhanced purchasing power, which can offset the slightly lower salaries when compared to national figures. Among employers, general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA are likely to offer the highest salaries, especially for those engaged in larger-scale projects or specialized contractor roles. The variation in pay often stems from factors such as project size, tier of the general contractor, and potential bonuses tied to project profitability. For professionals looking to elevate their earnings, strategically pursuing roles within top ENR firms or honing skills in high-demand areas like healthcare construction or data centers may provide better financial rewards. Additionally, exploring opportunities as an in-house owner’s representative or seeking positions with program management firms could yield comparable compensation with an improved work-life balance.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 $109,287 for construction managersin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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