Construction Manager Salary in Fairfax, VA: $99,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Fairfax, VA earns a median $99,643/year (≈ $47.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Fairfax's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $96,553 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the construction manager salary in Fairfax, VA, is projected to be $99,643, which is notably lower than the national median of $118,923. Salary ranges for this role in the region vary significantly; the bottom tier starts at $62,608, while top earners can make as much as $153,791. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living. With the local job market typically featuring only a handful of construction managers, such figures paint a picture of a competitive yet selective hiring environment, where candidates may need to weigh their career choices carefully between general contractor and owner's representative paths based on compensation and lifestyle preferences.
About the Fairfax Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,608 | $30.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,643 | $47.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,505 | $61.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,791 | $73.93 |
Median Salary Position
16.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfax
In Fairfax, VA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,183 (2026 est.). At $99,643, the local median is 16.21% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfax: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfax Construction Manager Pay Compares
Fairfax median: $99,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfax Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,338 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -16.21% less |
Construction Managers in Fairfax, VA earn a median of $99,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.21% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 4.50% below the Virginia state average of $104,338.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfax has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfax, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,643 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,553 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$79,817
2025 BLS Actual
$96,348
2026 Current Est.
$99,643
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Fairfax (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,817 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,425 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,858 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,028 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,894 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,378 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfax metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $79,817 (2019) to $96,348 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,234 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfax 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) | $62,608 – $77,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,500 – $99,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,643 – $127,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,505 – $153,791 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Fairfax
Labor dynamics in Fairfax indicate a small but distinct group of construction managers, with only four individuals currently in the local workforce. The cost of living in the area, which stands at an index of 103.2, suggests a slightly higher expenditure compared to the national average, impacting take-home pay. Employers like Bechtel and Skanska USA are among those that tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for large-scale projects requiring specialized management skills. Factors such as project complexity, size, and bonuses can substantially influence salary ranges, especially as the demand for construction management professionals continues to rise with the recent construction boom across sectors, including significant data centers and semiconductor fabrication plants. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, honing qualifications such as PMP, LEED AP, or other relevant certifications, along with considering opportunities with top-ranked contractors, can effectively enhance one's earning potential.
More salary data for Fairfax, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Fairfax, VA in 2026?
Is Fairfax, VA a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Fairfax?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Fairfax?
How much does a construction manager make per hour in Fairfax?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $96,348 for construction managersin the Fairfax 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 Fairfax 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