Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Leawood, KS: $68,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Leawood, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,308 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leawood's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,146 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,023) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level construction manager salary in Leawood, KS, is projected to begin at $68,308. This figure reflects a significant gap from the city’s median annual salary of $104,023, suggesting that new graduates should brace for a starting pay that provides a foundational opportunity rather than a peak earning. As early-career professionals progress, they can expect to see earnings escalate from the entry-level tier towards the 25th percentile at $80,680 within a few years. The growth trajectory for new grads here appears favorable, indicating that Leawood presents a viable market for fresh talent in the construction management field amid ongoing expansion, notably in sectors driven by the current mega-project boom.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leawood
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
Entry-level construction managers in Leawood, KS typically start between $68,308 and $80,680 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $92,928 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,023 — 12.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Kansas of $45,000 represents just 65.88% of the starting construction manager pay ($68,308/year) in Leawood. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACCE-accredited construction management bachelor's programs at public and private universities. In-state public tuition at the low end; private universities at the high end. Many employers sponsor PMP/CCM certifications post-graduation.
CM Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Leawood
- 1Research the Leawood market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $68,308 to $80,680, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the construction management field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Leawood, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Leawood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leawood's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Construction Manager Compensation Range
The construction manager wage spread in Leawood is $92,928 ( 136.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,308, experienced hygienists can earn up to $161,236.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,207
2025 BLS Actual
$66,049
2026 Current Est.
$68,308
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,207 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,908 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,913 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,111 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,644 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Leawood, KS grew 24.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,207 in 2019 to $66,049 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,644. New graduates entering the Leawood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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.
Starting Your construction management Career in Leawood
For those seeking to establish themselves as construction managers in Leawood, understanding the local employment landscape is crucial. Large general contractors such as Bechtel, Skanska, and Turner are known to recruit entry-level candidates through campus pipelines, filling assistant project manager roles which are excellent starting points. Additionally, specialty contractors may offer opportunity paths through trades that can lead to management roles over time. New graduates will be best positioned with a solid educational foundation, preferably holding a Bachelor’s in construction management or civil engineering. Those with credentials like the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification often see boosts in starting compensation. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.42%, entry-level professionals can anticipate reasonable salary increases of around $7,000 to $10,000 in the first few years as they gain experience, reflecting the sustained demand for adaptable managers in an evolving industry.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new construction management graduates. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Leawood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leawood 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