Construction Manager Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $105,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $105,116/year (≈ $50.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $114,926 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Chattanooga is experiencing a remarkable surge in construction management salary growth, fueled by the ongoing mega-project boom, particularly in data centers, semiconductor fabs, and electric vehicle battery plants. In 2026, the median annual income for construction managers in the area is projected to be $105,116, significantly benefiting from the influx of large-scale projects. Salary ranges for this occupation in Chattanooga are projected to span from $64,524 at the 10th percentile to $185,711 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the vast potential for upward mobility within the profession. This official data stems from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), providing an essential snapshot of the evolving job market in Chattanooga.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,524 | $31.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,951 | $37.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,116 | $50.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,132 | $65.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,711 | $89.28 |
Median Salary Position
11.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,187 (2026 est.). At $105,116, the local median is 11.61% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga Construction Manager Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $105,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $104,906 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -11.61% less |
Construction Managers in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $105,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.61% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 0.20% above the Tennessee state average of $104,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $105,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,926 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,680
2025 BLS Actual
$101,640
2026 Current Est.
$105,116
2019–2027 Growth
+63.0%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,711 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 52.4% from $66,680 (2019) to $101,640 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,711 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,031 (63.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $64,524 – $78,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,951 – $105,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,116 – $136,132 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,132 – $185,711 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Chattanooga
The employment landscape for construction managers in Chattanooga is robust, with around 380 professionals contributing to the local economy. With a cost of living index of 91.464, workers in this city enjoy relatively high purchasing power compared to the national average, making salaries more appealing. Among local employers, top-tier general contractors such as Bechtel and Skanska USA are known for offering the highest pay, often linked to project size and complexity. The variation in salaries can be attributed to many factors, including the specific tier of the general contractor, the nature of individual projects, and potential bonuses tied to project profitability. To maximize earnings, professionals should focus on gaining experience in mega-projects, consider roles in top ENR-ranked companies, or evaluate opportunities in owner’s representative positions, which can yield a favorable work-life balance while maintaining competitive compensation.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $101,640 for construction managersin the Chattanooga 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, 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