Construction Manager Salary in Chester, PA: $102,060 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Chester, PA earns a median $102,060/year (≈ $49.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Chester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $104,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the 2026 median annual salary for construction managers is projected to be $102,060, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $118,923. The salary range for this role spans from $67,719 at the 10th percentile to $158,193 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse compensation structure that reflects varying levels of responsibility and project complexities. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, providing a localized perspective on compensation. For experienced professionals weighing a shift from general contractor project management to owner’s representative roles, understanding this salary landscape is essential, especially given Chester's unique job market dynamics and the local demand for skilled managers.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,719 | $32.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,943 | $39.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,060 | $49.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,321 | $62.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,193 | $76.06 |
Median Salary Position
14.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chester
In Chester, PA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,474 (2026 est.). At $102,060, the local median is 14.18% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chester Construction Manager Pay Compares
Chester median: $102,060/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $105,652 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -14.18% less |
Construction Managers in Chester, PA earn a median of $102,060 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.18% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $105,652.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chester has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chester, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $102,060 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,784 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,753
2025 BLS Actual
$98,685
2026 Current Est.
$102,060
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,753 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,531 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,685 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,060 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chester metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $81,753 (2019) to $98,685 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,797 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chester 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) | $67,719 – $81,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,943 – $102,060 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,060 – $130,321 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,321 – $158,193 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Chester
While only five construction managers are currently employed in Chester, the local employment situation remains steady, supported by the area's cost-of-living index of 97.4, which offers a cost-effective environment for this profession. The project landscape in Chester features a mix of employers, including notable general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, as well as various specialty contractors and real estate developers. High compensation can be found in more complex projects, such as those in healthcare or data centers, where specialized skills are at a premium. Factors driving the pay disparity include project size, the tier of the general contractor, and potential bonuses related to project profitability. For professionals in Chester looking to optimize their construction manager pay, pursuing opportunities with top ENR firms or transitioning to owner’s rep roles could offer enhanced compensation along with a more balanced lifestyle, acknowledging the competitive nature of the industry.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Chester, PA in 2026?
Is Chester, PA a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Chester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Chester?
How much does a construction manager make per hour in Chester?
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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 $98,685 for construction managersin the Chester 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 Chester 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