Construction Manager Salary in Bristol, VA: $123,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Bristol, VA earns a median $123,764/year (≈ $59.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $119,926 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.6% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Construction managers in Bristol, Virginia, can anticipate a competitive median annual salary of $123,764 in 2026, reflecting the region's booming construction activity driven by the emergence of mega-projects such as data centers and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. This salary range spans from $79,854 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $191,834 (P90) for those at the top of their field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, illustrate that the area is offering slightly higher compensation than the national median of $118,923. The current growth rate of 3.42% indicates strong demand for construction managers, further underscoring Bristol's evolving job market.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,854 | $38.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,389 | $46.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,764 | $59.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,418 | $76.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,834 | $92.23 |
Median Salary Position
4.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,980 (2026 est.). At $123,764, the local median is 4.07% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Construction Manager Pay Compares
Bristol median: $123,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,354 | +18.60% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +4.07% more |
Construction Managers in Bristol, VA earn a median of $123,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.07% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 18.60% above the Virginia state average of $104,354.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,764 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,926 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,138
2025 BLS Actual
$119,671
2026 Current Est.
$123,764
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,138 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,611 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,671 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $99,138 (2019) to $119,671 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,858 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $79,854 – $97,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,389 – $123,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,764 – $158,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,418 – $191,834 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Bristol
The local job market is relatively modest, with only six construction managers employed in the Bristol area, suggesting a tight labor pool. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, above the national average, implying that while salaries are attractive, higher living costs must be factored into take-home purchasing power. Employers who tend to pay the most in Bristol include leading general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, as well as specialized contractors and real estate developers, who often prioritize complex projects requiring high levels of expertise. The disparity in pay can be attributed to project size and complexity, tier of the general contractor, and bonus structures tied to profitability and travel requirements. To maximize salary potential in Bristol VA, professionals should consider gaining specialized certifications such as CMAA CCM or LEED AP, pursuing experience with top-tier general contractors, or exploring owner’s representative roles on the developer side for a more balanced work-life dynamic.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $119,671 for construction managersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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