Construction Manager Salary in Burlington, VT: $106,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Burlington, VT earns a median $106,988/year (≈ $51.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $105,982 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% below the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a construction manager in Burlington, Vermont can expect to earn a median annual salary of $106,988, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $118,923. With a salary range spanning from $79,571 at the 10th percentile to $163,269 at the 90th percentile, construction managers in Burlington face a competitive pay landscape that varies based on experience, project type, and the specific employer. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcases that while Burlington's compensation might fall short of national averages, there are opportunities for higher earnings, particularly for those who take on complex projects or assume leadership roles with larger firms. The local job market remains robust, hinting at a continued demand for qualified construction professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,571 | $38.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,266 | $41.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,988 | $51.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,709 | $63.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,269 | $78.50 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,698 (2026 est.). At $106,988, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Construction Manager Pay Compares
Burlington median: $106,988/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $123,116 | -13.10% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -10.04% less |
Construction Managers in Burlington, VT earn a median of $106,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 13.10% below the Vermont state average of $123,116.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,988 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,982 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,390
2025 BLS Actual
$103,450
2026 Current Est.
$106,988
2019–2027 Growth
+37.6%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 28.7% from $80,390 (2019) to $103,450 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,257 (37.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $79,571 – $87,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,266 – $106,988 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,988 – $132,709 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,709 – $163,269 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Burlington
In Burlington, approximately 520 construction managers are currently employed, indicating a stable job market for aspiring professionals. The cost of living in the area, with a slightly above-average index of 100.949, presents a unique challenge for take-home pay. Many of the highest-paying opportunities in Burlington can be found with large general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, and among specialized contractors particularly in sectors such as healthcare and data centers, where project complexity can drive compensation upward. The salary disparity can often be attributed to factors such as project size, employer tier, and bonus structures tied to profitability, with top performers in mega-project management potentially seeing base salaries exceed $200,000. For those seeking to maximize their construction manager pay in Burlington, strategies include targeting roles within the tier one GC firms, pursuing certification such as CMAA CCM and PMP, and exploring in-house owner's rep positions that often provide a more favorable work-life balance compared to traditional contractor roles.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 $103,450 for construction managersin the Burlington 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