Construction Manager Salary in Richmond, VA: $114,124 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Richmond, VA earns a median $114,124/year (≈ $54.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $116,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.3% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Richmond, Virginia's thriving construction sector is reflected in its projected 2026 median salary of $114,124 for construction managers, an amount slightly below the national median of $118,923. With a salary range that spans from $82,302 at the 10th percentile to $198,504 at the 90th percentile, this indicates significant earning potential for those in the field. Data centers, semiconductor fabs, and EV battery plants fuel this growth, creating demand for skilled management in complex projects. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, capturing the dynamic nature of the Richmond job market where experienced managers can leverage their expertise in these mega-projects for competitive compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,302 | $39.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,794 | $47.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,124 | $54.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,230 | $74.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,504 | $95.44 |
Median Salary Position
4.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,202 (2026 est.). At $114,124, the local median is 4.04% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Construction Manager Pay Compares
Richmond median: $114,124/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,414 | +9.30% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -4.04% less |
Construction Managers in Richmond, VA earn a median of $114,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.04% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 9.30% above the Virginia state average of $104,414.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $114,124 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,622 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,400
2025 BLS Actual
$110,350
2026 Current Est.
$114,124
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,124 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,027 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 40.8% from $78,400 (2019) to $110,350 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,027 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,627 (50.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $82,302 – $97,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,794 – $114,124 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,124 – $154,230 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,230 – $198,504 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Richmond
Currently, approximately 1,270 construction managers are employed in the Richmond area, suggesting a robust local job market. A low cost-of-living index of 97.858 allows for better purchasing power, making the construction manager pay in Richmond VA fairly appealing. Leading firms such as Bechtel, Skanska USA, and Turner Construction provide the most competitive salaries in the region, especially for those managing large-scale projects that command higher pay. The variability in salaries is influenced by project size and complexity, with larger projects often yielding higher salaries due to their management demands and bonus structures. Moreover, transitioning into roles as owner's representatives can offer an improved lifestyle balance. For those in Richmond aiming to maximize their pay, gaining experience in mega-projects or seeking positions with top-tier general contractors can be effective strategies to enhance their marketability and compensation.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $110,350 for construction managersin the Richmond 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