Construction Manager Salary in Aiken, SC: $114,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Aiken, SC earns a median $114,797/year (≈ $55.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $125,461 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the projected compensation for construction managers in 2026 stands at a median annual salary of $114,797, reflecting the competitive nature of this market compared to the national median of $118,923. The salary range varies significantly from $71,641 at the 10th percentile to $177,936 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reveal a market where specialized knowledge can influence earnings considerably. This sector is particularly responsive to the growing demand for skilled professionals, especially amidst ongoing developments like data centers and semiconductor plants in the region.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,641 | $34.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,824 | $42.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,797 | $55.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,940 | $70.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,936 | $85.55 |
Median Salary Position
3.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,295 (2026 est.). At $114,797, the local median is 3.47% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Construction Manager Pay Compares
Aiken median: $114,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $115,723 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -3.47% less |
Construction Managers in Aiken, SC earn a median of $114,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.47% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $115,723.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $114,797 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $125,461 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,955
2025 BLS Actual
$111,001
2026 Current Est.
$114,797
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,955 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,261 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,474 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 20.7% from $91,955 (2019) to $111,001 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,768 (29.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $71,641 – $88,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,824 – $114,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,797 – $146,940 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,940 – $177,936 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Aiken
The job market for construction managers in Aiken consists of a small but focused group, with only four professionals currently employed in this role. The cost of living index in the area, recorded at 91.5, suggests that salaries stretch further here than in many other regions, positively impacting take-home pay. Major employers, including top ENR firms like Bechtel and Skanska USA, typically offer the highest salaries, but specialty contractors and program management companies can also provide lucrative opportunities. High pay variation can occur based on project scope and complexity, with mega-project managers commanding higher compensation. Professionals aiming to enhance their earnings should consider roles with leading general contractors or pivoting to owner's representation, balancing strong salaries with a better work-life dynamic while remaining strategically engaged in critical market sectors such as healthcare and industrial projects.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
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 $111,001 for construction managersin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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