Construction Manager Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $125,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $125,121/year (≈ $60.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $133,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $125,121. This figure represents a slight increase over the national median of $118,923, positioning Chapel Hill in a favorable light compared to many other regions. Salary ranges are diverse, beginning at $72,955 for entry-level positions and soaring to $193,937 for those at the top tier of the profession. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local market conditions, reflect the competitive nature of the construction sector in this vibrant town. Notably, the robust growth prospects in major development projects around Chapel Hill align with the area's increasing demand for seasoned construction managers, especially given the ongoing mega-project boom involving data centers and EV plants.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,955 | $35.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,258 | $44.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,121 | $60.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,154 | $77.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,937 | $93.24 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,982 (2026 est.). At $125,121, the local median is 5.21% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Construction Manager Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $125,121/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,085 | +14.70% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +5.21% more |
Construction Managers in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $125,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 14.70% above the North Carolina state average of $109,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $125,121 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,676 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,225
2025 BLS Actual
$120,983
2026 Current Est.
$125,121
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,245 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,044 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,367 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,983 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $100,225 (2019) to $120,983 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,175 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $72,955 – $93,258 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,258 – $125,121 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,121 – $160,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,154 – $193,937 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Chapel Hill
The local job market for construction managers in Chapel Hill is relatively stable, with only nine individuals currently employed in this role. The cost-of-living index of 93.6 indicates that everyday expenses are lower than the national average, which means take-home pay stretches further for construction professionals in the area. Among employers, top general contractors like Bechtel and Turner Construction typically offer higher salaries, albeit with the trade-off of intense travel and long hours frequently demanded in major projects. Alternatively, in-house roles with real estate developers or program management firms may offer more balanced lifestyles with comparable compensation. The variation in salaries primarily arises from factors such as project size, GC tier, and the specific complexities associated with different types of construction. For those looking to optimize their earnings in Chapel Hill, pursuing certifications such as CMAA CCM or PMP and seeking roles in high-demand sectors, like healthcare or data center development, can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
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 $120,983 for construction managersin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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