Construction Manager Salary in North Charleston, SC: $113,663 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in North Charleston, SC earns a median $113,663/year (≈ $54.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $124,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the construction manager salary in North Charleston, SC, is projected to be $113,663, which is slightly below the national median of $118,923. As salaries range from $65,924 at the 10th percentile to $176,177 at the 90th percentile, professionals in this field can expect considerable variability based on experience, project complexity, and employer type. These figures, which are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and incorporate regional cost adjustments, reflect the compensation landscape for those considering a shift toward general contractor account management or owner’s representative roles. The local job market is currently supported by a small yet steady number of 22 construction managers, indicating a competitive environment for skilled candidates looking to enhance their career trajectory.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,924 | $31.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,923 | $43.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,663 | $54.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,488 | $69.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,177 | $84.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,253 (2026 est.). At $113,663, the local median is 4.42% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Charleston Construction Manager Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $113,663/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $115,746 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -4.42% less |
Construction Managers in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $113,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.42% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.80% below the South Carolina state average of $115,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston 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.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $113,663 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $124,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,047
2025 BLS Actual
$109,904
2026 Current Est.
$113,663
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,047 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,882 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,516 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,904 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,663 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $91,047 (2019) to $109,904 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,503 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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) | $65,924 – $89,923 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,923 – $113,663 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,663 – $145,488 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,488 – $176,177 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in North Charleston
Looking deeper into the North Charleston construction market, the cost of living index stands at 91.5, meaning that take-home pay retains stronger purchasing power compared to national averages. Among the biggest employers are top-tier general contractors such as Bechtel and Turner Construction, which typically offer higher salaries due to the complexity and scale of their projects. Project size and complexity significantly influence pay, particularly for positions in larger firms where mega-projects in data centers and EV battery plants can demand salaries exceeding $200,000 for top talent. To optimize construction manager pay in North Charleston, professionals should consider focusing on roles with major general contractors, seeking out bonuses tied to project profitability, and possibly transitioning toward owner's rep roles which may offer better work-life balance while still providing competitive compensation.
More salary data for North Charleston, 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 $109,904 for construction managersin the North Charleston 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 North Charleston 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