Construction Manager Salary in Erie, PA: $100,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Erie, PA earns a median $100,514/year (≈ $48.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $110,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Erie, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $100,514, reflecting a significant opportunity given the current economic climate. This figure positions local compensation approximately 15.48% below the national median of $118,923, yet the full salary range from $81,381 to $156,712 indicates potential for considerable growth. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, shows promise in Erie’s job market, especially considering the increasing demand for skilled project managers amidst the ongoing mega-project boom in the region. Construction managers who transition from general contractor positions to ownership representatives may find a favorable balance between salary and lifestyle, providing an enticing prospect for experienced professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,381 | $39.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,452 | $42.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,514 | $48.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,870 | $64.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,712 | $75.34 |
Median Salary Position
15.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,331 (2026 est.). At $100,514, the local median is 15.48% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Construction Manager Pay Compares
Erie median: $100,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $105,582 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -15.48% less |
Construction Managers in Erie, PA earn a median of $100,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.48% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 4.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $105,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $100,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,170
2025 BLS Actual
$97,190
2026 Current Est.
$100,514
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,951 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 21.2% from $80,170 (2019) to $97,190 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,781 (29.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $81,381 – $87,452 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,452 – $100,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,514 – $134,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,870 – $156,712 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Erie
Local employment trends reveal that approximately 70 construction managers work in the Erie area, highlighting a niche but essential segment of the job market. The cost of living index in Erie stands at 90.95, which translates to higher purchasing power compared to many urban centers, allowing construction manager pay in Erie PA to stretch further. Employers such as Bechtel and Turner Construction typically lead compensation within the general contracting community, while specialty contractors and program management firms also present lucrative opportunities. The spread between low and high salaries often hinges on project complexity, employer type, and specific skill sets, with mega-project managers frequently commanding higher wages due to their experience on large-scale initiatives. For construction managers considering their career trajectory in Erie, focusing on developing relationships with top-tier ENR firms and enhancing their qualifications (such as achieving CMAA certification) can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 $97,190 for construction managersin the Erie 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, 6-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