Construction Manager Salary in Sterling, VA: $100,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Sterling, VA earns a median $100,143/year (≈ $48.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Sterling's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $97,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Sterling, Virginia, are projected to earn a median salary of $100,143, which is notably lower than the national median of $118,923 by approximately 15.79%. The local salary range extends from $64,862 at the 10th percentile to $155,221 at the 90th percentile, creating a wide disparity based on experience and project complexity. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect Sterling's market environment, where demand for skilled construction managers is sustained by ongoing mega-projects in sectors like data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, and electric vehicle plants. In this area, general contractors and specialty trades often dictate compensation levels, as they face competition for top talent from both local and national projects.
About the Sterling Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,862 | $31.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,319 | $37.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,143 | $48.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,183 | $61.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,221 | $74.63 |
Median Salary Position
15.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sterling
In Sterling, VA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,359 (2026 est.). At $100,143, the local median is 15.79% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sterling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sterling Construction Manager Pay Compares
Sterling median: $100,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sterling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,424 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -15.79% less |
Construction Managers in Sterling, VA earn a median of $100,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.79% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $104,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sterling has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sterling, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,038 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,217
2025 BLS Actual
$96,831
2026 Current Est.
$100,143
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Sterling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,217 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,834 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,334 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,921 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,831 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,567 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sterling metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $80,217 (2019) to $96,831 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,567 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,350 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sterling 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) | $64,862 – $77,319 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,319 – $100,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,143 – $128,183 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,183 – $155,221 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Sterling
The job market in Sterling employs a relatively small cohort of just seven construction managers, which can create unique dynamics for pay negotiations. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, actual purchasing power can be affected despite the seemingly competitive salaries. Major employers in the region include ENR top-ranked firms such as Bechtel and Skanska USA, which often offer higher compensation packages compared to local general contractors. Conversely, owner's representative roles, especially for real estate developers and program management firms like Parsons and AECOM, present alternative career paths that typically emphasize work-life balance while maintaining competitive pay. The spread between low and high salaries in Sterling is primarily driven by project size and complexity, with mega-projects commanding $200,000+ for experienced project managers. To maximize pay, professionals should focus on developing strong relationships within the top-tier general contractors, seek opportunities for bonuses tied to project profitability, and consider the potentially lucrative field of specialty contracting for high-demand sectors.
More salary data for Sterling, 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 $96,831 for construction managersin the Sterling 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 Sterling 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