Construction Manager Salary in Durham, NC: $124,083 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Durham, NC earns a median $124,083/year (≈ $59.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $127,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Durham, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $124,083, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $118,923. The local salary range for this role extends from $80,202 at the 10th percentile to $207,740 at the 90th percentile, providing a robust financial landscape for both emerging professionals and seasoned veterans. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underscoring the healthy demand for construction managers as the market continues to thrive. With the ongoing mega-project boom, particularly in data centers and manufacturing facilities, Durham's job market presents significant opportunities for skilled construction managers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,202 | $38.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,789 | $49.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,083 | $59.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,356 | $77.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,740 | $99.87 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,538 (2026 est.). At $124,083, the local median is 4.34% above the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Construction Manager Pay Compares
Durham median: $124,083/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,036 | +13.80% more |
| National Average | $118,923 | +4.34% more |
Construction Managers in Durham, NC earn a median of $124,083 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% higher than the national median of $118,923 and 13.80% above the North Carolina state average of $109,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $124,083 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,171 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,020
2025 BLS Actual
$119,980
2026 Current Est.
$124,083
2019–2027 Growth
+11.6%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,083 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 4.3% from $115,020 (2019) to $119,980 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,307 (11.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $80,202 – $102,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,789 – $124,083 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,083 – $161,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,356 – $207,740 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Durham
The job market in Durham is bolstered by approximately 760 construction managers currently employed in the area, contributing to a competitive but manageable environment for job seekers. Given that the cost of living index stands at 97.572, which is below the national average, construction manager pay in Durham, NC, allows for a reasonable degree of purchasing power. Among employers, top general contractors such as Bechtel and Turner Construction are known for offering the highest compensation packages, yet specialty contractors and program management firms like AECOM are also notable for competitive salaries. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include project size and complexity, with mega-projects attracting premium salaries exceeding $200,000. For those aiming to maximize their compensation, focusing on larger-scale projects or transitioning to an owner’s representative role can prove advantageous, offering both financial rewards and a preferable work-life balance.
More salary data for Durham, 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 $119,980 for construction managersin the Durham 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