Entry-Level Construction Manager Salary in Longview, WA: $103,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:New construction managers entering the Longview, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $103,141 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 11-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Longview's local price level (BEA RPP 97.5 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $105,737 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($159,577) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduating as a new construction manager in Longview, WA, one can expect to start with a competitive salary around $103,141 in 2026, which represents a solid entry point into the profession. While this starting figure may seem modest compared to the city median of $159,577, it reflects the larger landscape of the industry and the potential for substantial growth within the first few years. New professionals can anticipate a gradual increase in compensation as they move to the 25th percentile at approximately $135,894. With Longview's ongoing demand for construction management professionals fueled by the current mega-project boom, new grads should find the local job market favorable, providing opportunities for advancements and salary increases as they gain experience.
Career Earnings Timeline in Longview
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 Longview
Entry-level construction managers in Longview, WA typically start between $103,141 and $135,894 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $116,792 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $159,577 — 34.19% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average construction management program cost in Washington of $80,000 represents just 77.56% of the starting construction manager pay ($103,141/year) in Longview. 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 Longview
- 1Research the Longview market: entry-level construction manager pay ranges from $103,141 to $135,894, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Longview, 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 Longview for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Longview's moderate 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 Longview is $116,792 ( 113.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $103,141, experienced hygienists can earn up to $219,933.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,760
2025 BLS Actual
$99,730
2026 Current Est.
$103,141
2019–2027 Growth
+75.6%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,668 | Projected |
Entry-level construction manager compensation (10th percentile) in Longview, WA grew 64.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,760 in 2019 to $99,730 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $106,668. New graduates entering the Longview job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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 Longview
In Longview, various employers actively seek entry-level construction managers from graduating programs. Large general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska often hire recent graduates through campus recruitment for assistant project manager roles, which can be an excellent way to start building a professional network. To enhance starting pay in Washington, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture is vital, and securing certifications like the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) can provide significant leverage. Given the sustained demand from the mega-project boom, which focuses on sectors such as data centers and EV battery plants, new entrants can expect realistic salary growth in their first few years on the job. With a careful strategy of building experience and credentials, early-career construction managers in Longview can progress towards more lucrative roles within the industry while maintaining a balanced lifestyle, especially when considering the differences between general contractor and owner’s representative paths.
More salary data for Longview, 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
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 Longview. 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