Construction Manager Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $53.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a construction manager working in Charlotte, NC runs $53.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,866 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,522 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, NC, construction managers earn a median hourly rate of $53.30, which falls below the national median of $57.17. For part-time construction managers working three days a week, or those involved in per-diem arrangements, this hourly rate can translate into a different financial picture depending on their engagement. Typical roles may be found in project management trailers at construction sites, corporate offices for preconstruction and estimating, or through remote and hybrid positions that facilitate advanced project scheduling and coordination. Those at the entry-level start closer to $34.29 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command as much as $87.12 per hour, showcasing a significant spectrum of compensatory potential within the city’s dynamic construction landscape. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS statistics projected for 2026, reflects the financial opportunities available in this growing sector.
Construction Manager Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.29 | $274.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.71 | $317.71 |
| Median (P50) | $53.30 | $426.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.02 | $560.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.12 | $696.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $53.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.30/hr, a construction manager working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $110,870 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,963. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,132.11 | $9,239 | $110,870 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,279.26 | $5,543 | $66,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $852.84 | $3,696 | $44,348 |
Compare CM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager (Charlotte) | $53.30 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $110,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.70% above the North Carolina state average of $109,013.
Construction Manager Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.30/hr = $66,522/year (purchasing power: $68,334).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,870/year (purchasing power: $113,890).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Construction Managers in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for construction managers in Charlotte grew -1.8% from $52.48/hr (2019) to $51.54/hr (2025). At a 3.42% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.13/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
For a construction manager optting for part-time work, the ability to take home a considerable paycheck hinges on the hours committed weekly. A construction manager working 24 hours a week can expect to generate approximately $39,000 annually, a figure markedly lower than full-time counterparts yet still competitive. Those engaged in per-diem scenarios often bill higher; rates can reach $100 to $180 per hour for project manager roles, while specialized consultants may see rates soar to $150-$280 per hour or even higher for mega-project experts, turning them into lucrative opportunities for seasoned professionals. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on employer type within Charlotte—from general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, which are often linked to premium rates and full benefits, to specialty and boutique firms that might offer higher hourly compensation but less job security. As construction managers weigh their options, considerations such as health benefits and work-life balance play a crucial role. Effective negotiation strategies should focus on understanding market demand in Charlotte, allowing workers to secure rewarding compensation while weighing the trade-offs between hourly rates and associated benefits.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for construction managers in Charlotte in 2026?
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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 Charlotte. 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