Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $63.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Buffalo, NY runs $63.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,912 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,145 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Buffalo, the construction manager hourly pay for 2026 is projected to be a median of $63.42, exceeding the national hourly median of $57.17 by a notable margin. This elevated rate reflects the city’s growing demand for skilled project leaders, particularly amid the current mega-project boom in sectors like data centers and semiconductor facilities. For part-time workers, specifically those engaged three days a week, the potential income can be substantial, providing a solid earning opportunity even without full-time commitment. The hourly pay range for construction managers in Buffalo varies significantly, from $38.78 at the lower end to as high as $94.70 for top earners, offering robust compensation across different levels of experience in settings such as job-site management trailers, corporate offices, and hybrid remote roles. This data is grounded in projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.78 | $310.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.58 | $396.64 |
| Median (P50) | $63.42 | $507.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.09 | $632.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.70 | $757.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $63.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.42/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $131,908 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,101. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,536.69 | $10,992 | $131,908 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,522.01 | $6,595 | $79,145 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,014.67 | $4,397 | $52,763 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Buffalo) | $63.42 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.88 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $46.55 |
| Cost Estimator (National Avg) | $37.53 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Construction (National Avg) | $38.11 |
Construction Managers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $131,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% higher than the national median of $118,923.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.42/hr = $79,145/year (purchasing power: $82,576).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,908/year (purchasing power: $137,627).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Buffalo grew 48.8% from $41.20/hr (2019) to $61.32/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem construction managers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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.
Working as an Hourly Construction Manager in Buffalo
Considering a part-time schedule, a construction manager in Buffalo working 24 hours per week could take home a salary that translates to $82,921 annually, a tidy sum compared to full-time earnings. Per-diem construction manager pay in Buffalo can range widely, with professionals billing anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour at the project management level, and even higher rates for senior roles or specialized consulting. Notably, senior construction managers and project executives can command rates of $150 to $280 an hour, while owner's representatives may see $200 to $400 per hour, especially in high-stakes projects. Factors such as employer type also influence wages; general contractors, specialty contractors, and real estate developers vary in pay rates. Many construction managers must consider the trade-offs of lower hourly rates that come with full health benefits against higher hourly compensation without benefits. Negotiating for your value, understanding the local competitive landscape, and being aware of the various client billing practices in the area will empower you in securing the best possible compensation.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for construction managers in Buffalo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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