Construction Manager Salary in Tennessee: $116,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median construction manager pay sits at $116,632/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 11-9021. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $127,050 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($122,190), Franklin ($120,719), Murfreesboro ($120,025).
In Tennessee, the average median salary for construction managers in 2026 is $116,632, which is slightly below the national median of $118,923, reflecting a gap of -1.9%. Nashville emerges as the highest-paying city for this profession, offering $126,369, while Tullahoma is at the lower end with $96,925, indicating a salary discrepancy of $29,444 between these two locations. The primary driver for this difference often relates to the cost of living, project demand, and regional economic factors, with urban areas typically presenting greater opportunities and higher wages. Tennessee has specific licensing requirements for construction managers, with a focus on ensuring that these professionals have the appropriate experience and education. The demand for construction management is fueled by the state's growth in both residential and commercial sectors, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.42% in employment from the prior year. The current workforce consists of approximately 5,222 construction managers, indicating a solid job market. Key cities like Franklin ($124,848), Murfreesboro ($124,130), Kingsport ($120,981), and Memphis ($111,394) also offer competitive salaries, contributing to a favorable outlook for those entering or advancing in the field.
Tennessee Construction Manager Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $59,683 (lowest entry-level) to $224,690 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee construction managers earn 1.93% less than the national median ($-2,291/year difference).
Tennessee Construction Manager Salary Distribution (2026)
Construction Manager salaries in Tennessee range from $71,292 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $188,842 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $116,632. The Tennessee median is $2,291 below the US national median of $118,923. The average hourly rate is $56.07/hr. Approximately 5,222 construction managers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,354
2025 BLS Actual
$112,775
2026 Current Est.
$116,632
2019–2027 Growth
+58.0%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,354 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,469 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,775 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 47.7% from $76,354 (2019) to $112,775 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,266 (57.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $96,925 |
| Cleveland | $98,146 |
| Sevierville | $99,040 |
| Maryville | $99,612 |
| Cookeville | $99,677 |
Best Value Cities for Construction Managers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for construction managers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | $120,981 | 86.447 | $139,948 |
| Franklin | $124,848 | 91.8 | $136,000 |
| Murfreesboro | $124,130 | 91.8 | $135,218 |
| Nashville | $126,369 | 96.338 | $131,173 |
| Memphis | $111,394 | 92.179 | $120,845 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,292 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $116,632 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $188,842 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $126,369 |
| 2 | Franklin | $124,848 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $124,130 |
| 4 | Kingsport | $120,981 |
| 5 | Memphis | $111,394 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $106,035 |
| 7 | Bartlett | $105,504 |
| 8 | Knoxville | $105,395 |
| 9 | Collierville | $105,139 |
| 10 | Chattanooga | $105,116 |
| 11 | Clarksville | $104,692 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $104,333 |
| 13 | Morristown | $103,389 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $102,933 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $102,925 |
| 16 | Johnson City | $102,396 |
| 17 | Columbia | $102,233 |
| 18 | Germantown | $102,102 |
| 19 | Hendersonville | $101,899 |
| 20 | Gallatin | $101,721 |
| 21 | Brentwood | $101,191 |
| 22 | Shelbyville | $100,404 |
| 23 | Mount Juliet | $100,401 |
| 24 | Jackson | $100,390 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $100,190 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $99,677 |
| 27 | Maryville | $99,612 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $99,040 |
| 29 | Cleveland | $98,146 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $96,925 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore construction manager hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced construction managers.
Explore More Construction Manager Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for construction managers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee construction manager pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level construction manager salary in Tennessee?
How many construction managers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for construction managers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 construction manager compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more construction managerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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