Construction Manager Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $122,438 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $122,438/year (≈ $58.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $114,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has emerged at the forefront of the construction industry, especially with the recent boom in mega-projects such as data centers and semiconductor facilities. As a result, the 2026 projected median annual salary for construction managers in the area is estimated at $122,438, which compares favorably to the national median of $118,923. The full salary spectrum ranges from $78,399 at the 10th percentile to $185,584 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, depict a competitive market for experienced professionals. The concentration of large projects signals a growing demand for skilled construction managers, setting the stage for robust career opportunities in Portsmouth.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,399 | $37.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,006 | $46.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,438 | $58.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,851 | $74.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,584 | $89.22 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,185 (2026 est.). At $122,438, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Construction Manager Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $122,438/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $127,539 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | +2.96% more |
Construction Managers in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $122,438 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $127,539.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $122,438 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,108 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,590
2025 BLS Actual
$118,389
2026 Current Est.
$122,438
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,389 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,438 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,625 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 33.6% from $88,590 (2019) to $118,389 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,625 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,035 (42.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $78,399 – $96,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,006 – $122,438 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,438 – $154,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,851 – $185,584 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Portsmouth
As construction managers navigate this market, they face a compelling local job landscape with only five professionals currently employed in Portsmouth, making the competition for talent intense. The cost of living index at 107.3 indicates a higher-than-average living expense, which negotiates the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers such as Bechtel and Skanska USA, as top firms on the ENR list, provide some of the highest compensation packages, often necessitating long hours and travel. Alternatively, opportunities in program management or as in-house owner's representatives can balance salary and lifestyle. Differences in pay often arise from project size and complexity, where senior roles on mega-projects can demand upwards of $200,000 annually. To maximize compensation in this dynamic environment, construction managers should focus on taking on larger projects, acquiring certifications such as PMP or CMAA CCM, and actively seeking roles that offer bonuses tied to project success.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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 $118,389 for construction managersin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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