Construction Manager Salary in Lexington, KY: $104,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Lexington, KY earns a median $104,258/year (≈ $50.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $112,239 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual pay for construction managers in Lexington, Kentucky is projected to be $104,258, reflecting a significant contribution by the local market to the broader construction industry. This salary range varies considerably from $56,167 at the 10th percentile to $220,522 for those at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience and project complexity. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures illustrate Lexington's competitive position in the regional market. While this salary falls short of the national median of $118,923 by approximately 12.33%, it positions Lexington as an attractive locale for professionals, particularly as the demand for construction managers continues to rise with ongoing infrastructure growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,167 | $27.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,258 | $50.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,108 | $76.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,522 | $106.02 |
Median Salary Position
12.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $164,355 (2026 est.). At $104,258, the local median is 12.33% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Construction Manager Pay Compares
Lexington median: $104,258/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $102,616 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | -12.33% less |
Construction Managers in Lexington, KY earn a median of $104,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.33% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.60% above the Kentucky state average of $102,616.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $104,258 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,239 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$80,120
2025 BLS Actual
$100,810
2026 Current Est.
$104,258
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 25.8% from $80,120 (2019) to $100,810 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,703 (34.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $56,167 – $78,020 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,020 – $104,258 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,258 – $158,108 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,108 – $220,522 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Lexington
Lexington's job market currently employs around 590 construction managers, providing a solid foundation for career opportunities in this field. The city benefits from a cost-of-living index of 92.889, which offers a more favorable financial environment compared to many other areas, enhancing the purchasing power of construction manager salaries. Major employers include prominent general contractors like Bechtel and Skanska USA, which typically offer competitive salaries driven by project size and complexity. The earnings potential in this market can vary significantly due to factors such as the type of projects managed—mega-projects often command higher compensation due to increased responsibility and scale. Those looking to maximize their pay in Lexington should consider navigating between general contracting and owner's representative roles, as both avenues provide distinct rewards and growth opportunities in this evolving market.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in Lexington, KY in 2026?
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a construction manager?
Can construction managers make $100K in Lexington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted construction manager salary in Lexington?
How much does a construction manager make per hour in Lexington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 $100,810 for construction managersin the Lexington 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
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