Construction Manager Salary in Thornton, CO: $118,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Thornton, CO earns a median $118,058/year (≈ $56.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $112,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Thornton, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $118,058, closely aligning with the national median of $118,923. This compensation reflects a broad salary range, where the lowest earners can expect around $68,473 while those at the higher end can make up to $182,990. These figures represent localized estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, and highlight Thornton's competitive job market for construction management professionals. As the demand for expertise in managing specialty and mega-projects rises, professionals will find diverse opportunities that often determine the trajectory between general contractor project management and owner’s representative roles.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,473 | $32.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,746 | $41.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,058 | $56.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,114 | $72.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,990 | $87.98 |
Median Salary Position
0.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,517 (2026 est.). At $118,058, the local median is 0.73% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Construction Manager Pay Compares
Thornton median: $118,058/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $116,199 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -0.73% less |
Construction Managers in Thornton, CO earn a median of $118,058 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.73% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $116,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,058 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,436 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,567
2025 BLS Actual
$114,154
2026 Current Est.
$118,058
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,567 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,171 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,137 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,154 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $94,567 (2019) to $114,154 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,529 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,473 – $86,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,746 – $118,058 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,058 – $151,114 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,114 – $182,990 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Thornton
The local job market for construction managers in Thornton is robust, with 34 individuals currently employed in this role. However, the cost of living index stands at 105, which means take-home purchasing power could be modestly affected compared to the national average. Major employers in the area, such as top-tier general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction, tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for complex projects where experienced managers can earn significantly through bonuses tied to project success. The pay gap often reflects project size, the complexity of assignments, and the tier of the general contractor or developer. To maximize earnings in this market, prospective construction managers should focus on acquiring certifications like PMP or LEED AP, developing strong negotiation skills for compensation packages, and considering specialized fields such as data centers or EV plants, which may command premium pay due to their intricacies.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $114,154 for construction managersin the Thornton metropolitan area. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Thornton 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