Construction Manager Salary in Burien, WA: $154,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Burien, WA earns a median $154,758/year (≈ $74.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $144,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, a construction manager can expect a median annual salary of $154,758 as of 2026, reflecting the premium that experienced professionals command in this market. The salary range for this role is significant, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $97,367 and experienced managers earning up to $239,874. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, which indicate a higher-than-average living expense in Burien. The competitive salary environment can be traced back to strong demand from notable general contractors and the ongoing mega-project boom in sectors such as data centers and electric vehicle plants in the broader Washington area. With high-profile projects on the horizon, construction managers in Burien find themselves well-positioned to negotiate favorable compensation packages.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,367 | $46.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,696 | $58.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,758 | $74.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,090 | $95.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,874 | $115.32 |
Median Salary Position
30.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,507 (2026 est.). At $154,758, the local median is 30.13% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Construction Manager Pay Compares
Burien median: $154,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $155,535 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +30.13% more |
Construction Managers in Burien, WA earn a median of $154,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.13% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $155,535.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $154,758 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,095 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,965
2025 BLS Actual
$149,640
2026 Current Est.
$154,758
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,965 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,463 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,832 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,050 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $123,965 (2019) to $149,640 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,085 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $97,367 – $120,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,696 – $154,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,758 – $198,090 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,090 – $239,874 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Burien
The job market for construction managers in Burien consists of around eight employed professionals, highlighting a relatively niche yet stable field. The local cost-of-living index, standing at 107.4, emphasizes the importance of take-home pay, as it exceeds the national average. Among various employers in the region, top-tier general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA likely offer the highest salaries, particularly for managing large-scale projects that can see base salaries exceeding $200,000. The salary variations can be attributed to project complexity, employer type, and compensation structures that reward successful project completions. For those looking to maximize their construction manager pay in Burien, strategic career moves such as transitioning into program management or seeking roles with larger general contractors can provide significant financial benefits, along with the added allure of robust benefits and potential bonuses tied to project profitability.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
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 $149,640 for construction managersin the Burien 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 Burien 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