Construction Manager Salary in Memphis, TN: $111,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Memphis, TN earns a median $111,394/year (≈ $53.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $120,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With the ongoing expansion in Memphis driven by the boom in mega-projects, construction managers in the area can expect to earn a median annual salary of $111,394 by 2026. This figure reflects a range where salaries start at $67,999 for those at the 10th percentile, potentially reaching as high as $173,973 for the top earners at the 90th percentile. This growth in compensation is buoyed by the recent influx of data centers, semiconductor fabs, and EV battery plants, which necessitate skilled project leaders capable of managing complex endeavors. Projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data suggest a dynamic job market for construction managers in Memphis, TN, indicating strong demand correlating with increased investment in infrastructure and technology.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,999 | $32.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,256 | $40.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,394 | $53.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,593 | $66.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,973 | $83.65 |
Median Salary Position
6.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,974 (2026 est.). At $111,394, the local median is 6.33% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Construction Manager Pay Compares
Memphis median: $111,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $104,890 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -6.33% less |
Construction Managers in Memphis, TN earn a median of $111,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.33% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 6.20% above the Tennessee state average of $104,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $111,394 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,845 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,870
2025 BLS Actual
$107,710
2026 Current Est.
$111,394
2019–2027 Growth
+58.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,203 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 47.8% from $72,870 (2019) to $107,710 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,203 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,333 (58.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $67,999 – $84,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,256 – $111,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,394 – $138,593 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,593 – $173,973 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Memphis
The local job market hosts around 670 construction managers, who benefit from a cost of living index of 92.179, indicating affordable living conditions relative to national averages. This favorable index helps bolster take-home purchasing power, an essential factor for professionals in the field. Leading employers like Bechtel and Turner Construction pay particularly well among general contractors, while specialists in mechanical, electrical, and structural trades often find lucrative opportunities at the project management level. The pay scale often fluctuates due to the complexity and size of projects; mega-project managers can command base salaries of $200,000 or more. For those looking to maximize their earnings in the Memphis market, pursuing certifications such as PMP or CMAA CCM can open doors to higher-tier positions that offer enhanced benefits, while a career pivot toward owner's rep roles may provide a better work-life balance without significant pay loss.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Memphis, TN in 2026?
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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 $107,710 for construction managersin the Memphis 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