Construction Manager Salary in Charleston, WV: $81,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Charleston, WV earns a median $81,754/year (≈ $39.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.7), that paycheck buys what $92,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.4% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Charleston, West Virginia, earn a median annual salary of $81,754, which is significantly lower than the national median of $118,923, reflecting a 31.25% disparity. The salary range for this profession in the area varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $56,922 and experienced managers earning up to $135,842. This data is derived from BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizing the regional economic conditions that influence construction manager pay in Charleston. For professionals considering a shift from general contracting to owner’s representative roles, the compensation and lifestyle trade-offs can be substantial, affecting not only salaries but also work-life balance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,922 | $27.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,851 | $32.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,754 | $39.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,659 | $48.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,842 | $65.31 |
Median Salary Position
31.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, WV, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,920 (2026 est.). At $81,754, the local median is 31.25% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Construction Manager Pay Compares
Charleston median: $81,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $102,705 | -20.40% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -31.25% less |
Construction Managers in Charleston, WV earn a median of $81,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.25% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 20.40% below the West Virginia state average of $102,705.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 11.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.717 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $81,754 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,151 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,250
2025 BLS Actual
$79,050
2026 Current Est.
$81,754
2019–2027 Growth
+4.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,549 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew -2.7% from $81,250 (2019) to $79,050 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,549 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,299 (4.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $56,922 – $66,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,851 – $81,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,754 – $100,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,659 – $135,842 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Charleston
With around 190 construction managers currently employed in Charleston, the local job market shows healthy demand, particularly given the area's favorable cost of living index of 88.717. This lower index enhances take-home purchasing power, making it an appealing choice for skilled managers, especially when comparing local compensation against national figures. Among employers, top general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction typically offer the highest pay, while specialty contractors may also present competitive salaries, especially for roles in rapidly growing sectors like healthcare and data centers. The pay disparity in this market can largely be attributed to factors such as project complexity, company tier, and assignment requirements, with larger projects facilitating higher compensation. For construction managers in Charleston, navigating these dynamics and targeting employment with top-tier firms or seeking out specialized roles will be crucial for maximizing their earning potential.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Charleston, WV in 2026?
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Can construction managers make $100K in Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Charleston?
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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 $79,050 for construction managersin the Charleston 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