Construction Manager Salary in Seattle, WA: $164,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Seattle, WA earns a median $164,883/year (≈ $79.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $148,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, Washington, the construction manager salary in Seattle is projected to reach a median annual figure of $164,883 in 2026. This compensation is significantly above the national median of $118,923, reflecting a robust demand for skilled professionals in the industry. Salaries range from $113,555 at the lower end (10th percentile) to an impressive $228,941 for top earners (90th percentile). These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, show how competitive the market has become, especially for those in high-stakes roles at top-ranked general contractors, where the complexity and scale of projects drive higher pay. The thriving construction environment in Seattle is highlighted by the ongoing demand for experienced construction managers across various sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,555 | $54.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $137,652 | $66.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,883 | $79.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,837 | $92.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,941 | $110.07 |
Median Salary Position
38.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,386 (2026 est.). At $164,883, the local median is 38.65% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Construction Manager Pay Compares
Seattle median: $164,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $155,550 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +38.65% more |
Construction Managers in Seattle, WA earn a median of $164,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.65% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 6.00% above the Washington state average of $155,550.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,883 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,365 — a 10.02% 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
$101,890
2025 BLS Actual
$159,430
2026 Current Est.
$164,883
2019–2027 Growth
+67.4%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 56.5% from $101,890 (2019) to $159,430 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $68,631 (67.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $113,555 – $137,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $137,652 – $164,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,883 – $192,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,837 – $228,941 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Seattle
With approximately 4,010 construction managers currently employed in the region, Seattle's job market offers numerous opportunities despite the realities of a higher cost-of-living index, currently at 111.133. This elevated index means take-home purchasing power may be affected, but the salary potential remains promising. Among leading employers, top ENR-ranked general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction typically offer the highest salaries, often exceeding those available in local or specialty contracting firms. The disparity in construction manager pay in Seattle is driven by project size and complexity, particularly in the booming sectors such as data centers and electric vehicle plants. To maximize pay, professionals should consider pursuing mega-project management roles, which can command base salaries over $200,000, and explore opportunities at owner’s rep positions with real estate developers that may offer a better lifestyle balance while maintaining competitive compensation.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Seattle, WA in 2026?
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Seattle?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Seattle?
How much does a construction manager make per hour in Seattle?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $159,430 for construction managersin the Seattle 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