Construction Manager Salary in New Jersey: $135,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median construction manager pay sits at $135,682/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 11-9021. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $117,780 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($160,711), Newark ($158,234), East Orange ($134,296).
As of 2026, construction managers in New Jersey earn an average median salary of $135,682, which is 14.1% higher than the national median of $118,923. This reflects the state’s higher cost of living and strong demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry. The highest-paying city, Jersey City, offers a salary of $166,207, while Camden, the lowest-paying city, has a median salary of $126,178. The $40,029 salary gap is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, project sizes, and the complexity of local construction demands. New Jersey requires construction managers to meet specific licensing and certification requirements, which helps ensure a qualified workforce. The demand for construction managers is driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and urban development, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.42%. The job market for construction managers appears solid, with approximately 1,553 professionals working in the state. Other top-paying cities include Newark at $163,646, East Orange and Franklin both at $138,889, and Woodbridge at $138,850. These figures indicate a favorable job outlook, reinforcing the necessity for skilled management in the expanding construction sector across the state.
New Jersey Construction Manager Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $77,156 (lowest entry-level) to $257,621 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey construction managers earn 14.09% more than the national median (+$16,759/year difference).
New Jersey Construction Manager Salary Distribution (2026)
Construction Manager salaries in New Jersey range from $89,689 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $215,402 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,682. The New Jersey median is $16,759 above the US national median of $118,923. The average hourly rate is $65.23/hr. Approximately 1,553 construction managers are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$131,399
2025 BLS Actual
$131,195
2026 Current Est.
$135,682
2019–2027 Growth
+6.8%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,399 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,589 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,052 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,185 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,961 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,635 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,322 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew -0.2% from $131,399 (2019) to $131,195 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,322 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,923 (6.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Camden | $126,178 |
| Summit | $127,671 |
| Rahway | $129,598 |
| Evesham | $130,173 |
| Egg Harbor | $130,364 |
Best Value Cities for Construction Managers in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for construction managers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland | $138,500 | 95.968 | $144,319 |
| Jersey City | $166,207 | 115.2 | $144,277 |
| Newark | $163,646 | 115.2 | $142,054 |
| Atlantic City | $131,033 | 98.857 | $132,548 |
| Trenton | $132,316 | 103.18 | $128,238 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,689 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,682 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $215,402 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey City | $166,207 |
| 2 | Newark | $163,646 |
| 3 | East Orange | $138,889 |
| 4 | Franklin | $138,889 |
| 5 | Woodbridge | $138,850 |
| 6 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $138,650 |
| 7 | Vineland | $138,500 |
| 8 | Union | $138,303 |
| 9 | Elizabeth | $138,252 |
| 10 | Brick | $137,966 |
| 11 | Gloucester Township | $137,577 |
| 12 | New Brunswick | $137,522 |
| 13 | Howell | $137,066 |
| 14 | Paterson | $136,901 |
| 15 | Plainfield | $136,741 |
| 16 | Irvington | $136,534 |
| 17 | West New York | $136,328 |
| 18 | Piscataway | $136,231 |
| 19 | Jackson | $136,154 |
| 20 | Lakewood | $135,928 |
| 21 | West Orange | $135,849 |
| 22 | Montclair | $135,647 |
| 23 | Washington Township | $135,435 |
| 24 | Old Bridge | $135,384 |
| 25 | Edison | $135,175 |
| 26 | Union City | $135,113 |
| 27 | Toms River | $135,070 |
| 28 | Princeton | $134,946 |
| 29 | Bridgewater | $134,913 |
| 30 | Middletown | $134,874 |
| 31 | Clifton | $134,462 |
| 32 | South Brunswick | $134,223 |
| 33 | Berkeley | $134,212 |
| 34 | Perth Amboy | $134,191 |
| 35 | Wayne | $134,147 |
| 36 | Linden | $134,127 |
| 37 | Passaic | $134,093 |
| 38 | East Brunswick | $134,042 |
| 39 | Bloomfield | $133,757 |
| 40 | Long Branch | $133,670 |
| 41 | Westfield | $133,298 |
| 42 | Hamilton | $133,160 |
| 43 | Sayreville | $133,117 |
| 44 | Cherry Hill | $133,095 |
| 45 | North Bergen | $132,856 |
| 46 | Hoboken | $132,736 |
| 47 | Kearny | $132,533 |
| 48 | Manalapan | $132,416 |
| 49 | Trenton | $132,316 |
| 50 | Bayonne | $132,281 |
| 51 | Manchester | $131,979 |
| 52 | Moorestown | $131,462 |
| 53 | Hackensack | $131,458 |
| 54 | Atlantic City | $131,033 |
| 55 | Marlboro | $130,778 |
| 56 | Mount Laurel | $130,683 |
| 57 | Egg Harbor | $130,364 |
| 58 | Evesham | $130,173 |
| 59 | Rahway | $129,598 |
| 60 | Summit | $127,671 |
| 61 | Camden | $126,178 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore construction manager hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced construction managers.
Explore More Construction Manager Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do construction managers make in New Jersey in 2026?
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How does New Jersey construction manager pay compare to the national average?
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How many construction managers are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for construction managers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.42% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 construction manager compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more construction managerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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