Construction Manager Salary in Johnston, RI: $115,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Johnston, RI earns a median $115,575/year (≈ $55.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $115,000 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Johnston, Rhode Island, the 2026 median salary for construction managers is projected at $115,575, reflecting a competitive position in the market compared to a national median of $118,923. For those pursuing a construction management career, the salary spectrum from $76,825 to $179,141 provides a glimpse into the variability influenced by project size, complexity, and industry tier. As construction continues to thrive—particularly in areas like data centers and electric vehicle plants—there is a notable career transition occurring as experienced professionals may pivot from general contractor roles to owner's representative positions. This shift often comes with a tradeoff in lifestyle flexibility versus compensation, affecting how much do construction managers make in Johnston.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,825 | $36.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,327 | $43.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,575 | $55.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,936 | $71.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,141 | $86.13 |
Median Salary Position
2.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, RI, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,316 (2026 est.). At $115,575, the local median is 2.82% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Construction Manager Pay Compares
Johnston median: $115,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $119,519 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -2.82% less |
Construction Managers in Johnston, RI earn a median of $115,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $119,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,575 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,000 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$92,578
2025 BLS Actual
$111,753
2026 Current Est.
$115,575
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,578 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,444 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,106 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,623 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,762 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,528 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $92,578 (2019) to $111,753 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,528 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,950 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $76,825 – $90,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,327 – $115,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,575 – $147,936 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,936 – $179,141 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Johnston
The job market for construction managers in Johnston shows a limited but steady workforce, with only eight professionals employed in this role. The local cost of living, measured at an index of 100.5, slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Notably, large general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska USA are likely to offer the highest compensation packages due to the scale of their projects, while specialized firms may target specific high-demand sectors. Factors contributing to the pay variance include the complexity of projects, employer type, and potential bonuses tied to project profitability. To maximize earnings in Johnston, construction managers are encouraged to enhance their qualifications, consider pursuing owner’s rep roles for better work-life balance, and leverage skills in high-demand areas like healthcare and data centers.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Johnston, RI in 2026?
Is Johnston, RI a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Johnston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Johnston?
How much does a construction manager make per hour in Johnston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $111,753 for construction managersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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