Construction Manager Salary in Wausau, WI: $110,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time construction manager in Wausau, WI earns a median $110,122/year (≈ $52.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 11-9021). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $118,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, construction managers in Wausau, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $110,122, a figure that falls approximately 7.40% below the national median of $118,923. The salary range for this occupation is notable, spanning from $67,213 at the lower end to $166,806 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the compensation structure influenced by the growing demand for skilled professionals amidst the ongoing mega-project boom, particularly in sectors like data centers and electric vehicle battery plants. Wausau offers a unique market dynamic for construction managers, where the decision between working for a general contractor versus transitioning to an owner's representative role can significantly impact not only salary but also overall quality of life.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,213 | $32.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,790 | $41.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,122 | $52.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,835 | $65.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,806 | $80.19 |
Median Salary Position
7.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the construction manager salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,593 (2026 est.). At $110,122, the local median is 7.4% below the national median of $118,923.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Construction Manager Pay Compares
Wausau median: $110,122/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $123,179 | -10.60% less |
| National Average | $118,923 | -7.40% less |
Construction Managers in Wausau, WI earn a median of $110,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.40% lower than the national median of $118,923 and 10.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $123,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A construction manager earning $110,122 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $118,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,740
2025 BLS Actual
$106,480
2026 Current Est.
$110,122
2019–2027 Growth
+7.7%
Salary Trajectory for Construction Managers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.42% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,888 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median construction manager salary grew 0.7% from $105,740 (2019) to $106,480 (2025). At a 3.42% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,148 (7.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $67,213 – $86,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,790 – $110,122 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,122 – $136,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,835 – $166,806 |
CM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual construction manager compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Construction Manager Job Market in Wausau
The local job market in Wausau represents a robust environment for construction managers with around 90 professionals currently employed in the field. Given a cost-of-living index of 92.651, the purchasing power in Wausau is relatively favorable, allowing for better financial comfort compared to many other regions. While positions with leading general contractors such as Bechtel and Turner Construction may yield higher pay, construction managers should consider the logistics and work-life balance that accompany such roles, which often entail extended hours and significant travel. To maximize their earnings potential, professionals should seek project management opportunities in larger, more complex projects where the pay structure tends to include performance bonuses and increased base salaries. Additionally, specializing in high-demand niches such as healthcare or data center construction can further enhance compensation in this market.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
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 $106,480 for construction managersin the Wausau 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