Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Wichita, KS: $74,659 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Wichita, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,659 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wichita's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,937 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($111,880) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level construction manager salary in Wichita is expected to start at around $74,659, which serves as a realistic benchmark for new graduates entering this field. This starting pay is significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $111,880, indicating a substantial gap that early-career professionals must navigate. However, newcomers can anticipate a gradual earning increase over a few years, moving from the lower end of the spectrum towards the median as they gain valuable experience. Wichita presents a favorable market for recent graduates, given its cost of living index of 88.946, which is below the national average, making it easier for entry-level managers to establish themselves financially while pursuing promising opportunities in construction management.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wichita
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 Wichita
Entry-level construction managers in Wichita, KS typically start between $74,659 and $91,578 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $89,924 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $111,880 — 5.92% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Kansas of $45,000 represents just 60.27% of the starting construction manager pay ($74,659/year) in Wichita. 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 Wichita
- 1Research the Wichita market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $74,659 to $91,578, 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 Wichita, 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 Wichita for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wichita'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 Wichita is $89,924 ( 120.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,659, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,583.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,270
2025 BLS Actual
$72,190
2026 Current Est.
$74,659
2019–2027 Growth
+70.6%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,659 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,212 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Wichita, KS grew 59.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,270 in 2019 to $72,190 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,212. New graduates entering the Wichita job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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 Wichita
The hiring landscape for entry-level construction managers in Wichita increasingly favors candidates from larger general contractors like Bechtel, Skanska, and Turner, who actively recruit through campus channels for junior project management roles. These firms often provide rigorous training and development, essential for navigating the complexities of ongoing mega-projects such as data centers and semiconductor plants, which are driving significant demand for talented construction managers. Credentials like a Bachelor’s degree in construction management or civil engineering improve prospects, while certifications such as CCM (Certified Construction Manager) or PMP (Project Management Professional) can enhance starting pay. In the first few years, new graduates may see their salaries grow steadily through opportunities that leverage their experience, particularly if they consider contractor roles with intense schedules that come with higher pay versus owner’s representative positions that offer a balanced lifestyle with comparable compensation. This strategic approach offers a reliable pathway to reaching more advanced positions in the industry over time.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 Wichita. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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