Construction Managers Salary
Construction Managers in District of Columbia make a median of $126,430 a year, or about $60.78 an hour. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $210K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $116,119 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 28.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $126K get you in District of Columbia?
About construction managers
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Construction managers pay in District of Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $126K locally vs. $115K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level construction managers (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K. Top earners bring in $210K or more, a $129K spread from bottom to top.
Construction Managers salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $130K | +3% | 6,630 |
Compare to other states
Track construction managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Management
Frequently asked questions
Can a construction manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $126K, rent takes 28.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for construction managers in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new construction managers typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,837/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is construction manager a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $126K locally vs. $115K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for construction managers?
District of Columbia pays $126K median vs. the U.S. average of $115K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $116K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do construction managers make in District of Columbia?
The median is $126,430 a year, that works out to about $61 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,620, and experienced construction managers can clear $209,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,439/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 28.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a construction managers salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median construction managers salary is worth about $116,119 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do construction managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.