Construction Manager Salary in Sanford, NC: $107,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Sanford, NC earns a median $107,524/year (≈ $51.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $114,876 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Construction managers in Sanford, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $107,524 in 2026, which is approximately 9.59% lower than the national median of $118,923. The salary for this role ranged from a lower threshold of $65,613 to a high of $166,661, exemplifying significant variability in compensation based on factors such as project complexity, manager experience, and employer tier. These figures reflect local estimates from BLS state-level data and account for regional price adjustments, painting a clearer picture of earning potential in Sanford. With this income landscape, construction professionals in Sanford should be attentive to the prevailing compensation trends, especially in relation to prominent general contractors operating in the area.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,613 | $31.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,431 | $39.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,524 | $51.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,630 | $66.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,661 | $80.13 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, NC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,048 (2026 est.). At $107,524, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sanford Construction Manager Pay Compares
Sanford median: $107,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,050 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -9.59% less |
Construction Managers in Sanford, NC earn a median of $107,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $109,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford 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.
Sanford, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $107,524 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,876 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,129
2025 BLS Actual
$103,968
2026 Current Est.
$107,524
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,129 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,865 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,753 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,845 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,439 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,968 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $86,129 (2019) to $103,968 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,072 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $65,613 – $82,431 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,431 – $107,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,524 – $137,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,630 – $166,661 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Sanford
In Sanford, the job market for construction managers is relatively modest, with only five positions currently filled. The cost of living is notably below the national average at a CoL index of 93.6, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries earned by construction managers in the area. Employers such as Bechtel and Skanska USA often lead with higher pay scales, while specialty contractors in mechanical and electrical trades also have competitive compensation for project management roles. The variance in pay is influenced by project scale, with mega-projects potentially commanding salaries of $200,000 or more for experienced managers, alongside additional factors like bonuses tied to project profitability and travel requirements for out-of-town positions. To maximize their earning potential, construction managers should consider pursuing roles with larger general contractors, as well as exploring relationships with real estate developers who may offer favorable in-house positions to optimize work-life balance and remuneration in Sanford, NC.
More salary data for Sanford, 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 $103,968 for construction managersin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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