Construction Manager Salary in Clemson, SC: $106,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Clemson, SC earns a median $106,606/year (≈ $51.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Clemson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $116,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clemson, South Carolina, the projected construction manager salary for 2026 stands at $106,606, reflecting a competitive position against the national median of $118,923. This local salary encompasses a broad range, from $69,524 at the 10th percentile to $165,240 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant pay variance influenced by project size and complexity. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, place Clemson’s construction manager compensation slightly below the national average, indicating that while local firms are actively hiring, they often operate on slimmer margins compared to larger national players. The variance also illustrates potential employer dynamics, with top-tier general contractors generally offering higher compensation than regional or local firms, which is critical for experienced managers considering their options in this growing market.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,524 | $33.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,763 | $40.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,606 | $51.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,456 | $65.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,240 | $79.45 |
Median Salary Position
10.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clemson
In Clemson, SC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,716 (2026 est.). At $106,606, the local median is 10.36% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clemson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clemson Construction Manager Pay Compares
Clemson median: $106,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clemson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $115,751 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -10.36% less |
Construction Managers in Clemson, SC earn a median of $106,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $115,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clemson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clemson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $106,606 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,394
2025 BLS Actual
$103,081
2026 Current Est.
$106,606
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,394 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,116 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,648 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,036 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,518 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,081 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clemson metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $85,394 (2019) to $103,081 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,858 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clemson 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) | $69,524 – $84,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,763 – $106,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,606 – $136,456 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,456 – $165,240 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Clemson
Despite having only six construction managers currently employed in the area, the job market in Clemson remains promising, particularly in light of its cost-of-living index of 91.5, which is below the national average. This relatively low index can enhance take-home purchasing power for construction managers. Among local employers, major general contractors, such as Bechtel and Turner Construction, are likely to offer the most competitive salaries, especially for those managing large-scale projects. The disparities in compensation often arise from factors such as the scale of the projects assigned, firm type, and the inclusion of travel premiums for out-of-town assignments. To maximize earnings in the Clemson market, construction managers should focus on securing positions with these leading firms, consider transitioning into owner’s rep roles for better work-life balance, and leverage their experience on complex projects to negotiate higher pay within their contracts.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
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 $103,081 for construction managersin the Clemson 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 Clemson 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