Construction Manager Salary in Johnston, IA: $96,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Johnston, IA earns a median $96,287/year (≈ $46.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $106,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Johnston, Iowa, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $96,287, which is notably lower than the national median of $118,923, reflecting a difference of approximately 19.03%. The salary range for this role spans from $64,485 at the 10th percentile to $149,245 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape influenced by factors like project complexity and employer type. Local estimates derived from state-level BLS data and regional cost-adjustment factors illustrate a market where established general contractors, particularly those ranked in the ENR top-100 list, contribute significantly to pay scales. As Johnston continues to develop and attract projects, understanding the salary structures can ensure that construction managers negotiate effectively and capitalize on local opportunities.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,485 | $31.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,483 | $37.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,287 | $46.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,248 | $59.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,245 | $71.75 |
Median Salary Position
19.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,760 (2026 est.). At $96,287, the local median is 19.03% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Construction Manager Pay Compares
Johnston median: $96,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $103,758 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -19.03% less |
Construction Managers in Johnston, IA earn a median of $96,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.03% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $103,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $96,287 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,512 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,128
2025 BLS Actual
$93,103
2026 Current Est.
$96,287
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,128 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,683 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,067 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,164 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,934 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,103 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,580 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $77,128 (2019) to $93,103 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,580 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,452 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $64,485 – $77,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,483 – $96,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,287 – $123,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,248 – $149,245 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Johnston
In this market, the job strength for construction managers appears modest, with only four professionals currently employed in Johnston. The area's cost-of-living index is measured at 90.4, suggesting that salaries, while lower than the national average, may provide a reasonable standard of living compared to urban centers. Employers within the region, including major general contractors such as Bechtel and Turner Construction, typically offer the highest compensations, especially for large-scale projects like data centers and EV battery plants. Pay disparities arise from the size and complexity of projects, with mega-project managers often commanding top-tier salaries and bonuses tied to project profitability. To enhance earning potential in Johnston, construction managers should consider pursuing roles with top-tier GCs or exploring positions with owner's representatives that often promise a better work-life balance without sacrificing compensation. Such strategic moves can be vital for maximizing construction manager pay in Johnston, IA.
More salary data for Johnston, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $93,103 for construction managersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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