Why Construction Salaries Are Climbing in 2025 and What It Means for Construction Managers and Superintendents

The U.S. construction industry is undergoing a transformation in 2025, with construction salaries for key leadership roles climbing faster than ever before. For construction managers, superintendents, and other professionals, this increase in compensation reflects both the rising demand for skilled talent and the broad changes reshaping the industry. Nonresidential construction, driven by federal infrastructure funding and private investments, is booming. This environment is creating exceptional opportunities for professionals in leadership roles, while also requiring companies to rethink hiring strategies to remain competitive.

Salaries Surge as Skilled Talent Becomes Scarce: The Impact on Construction Salaries

The construction sector has faced labor shortages for years, but 2025 has pushed these challenges into sharp focus, directly impacting construction salaries. Despite increased investment in projects across the country, a lack of experienced professionals continues to constrain growth for many firms. The urgency is particularly evident in high-demand states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, where general contractors (GCs) are struggling to hire enough construction managers, superintendents, and estimators to handle growing project backlogs.

According to recent data from ENR and other industry associations, the average construction manager salary has risen significantly over the past twelve months, now exceeding $115,000 in most metro areas. For those with experience on large-scale projects or specialized expertise in areas like budget control or subcontractor management, salaries frequently surpass $140,000. Companies are offering not only competitive base pay but also bonuses, retention incentives, and customized benefits to secure top-tier talent, driving up overall construction salaries.

Regional Impact on Construction Salaries

The salary boom is most pronounced in states with the largest nonresidential construction pipelines. Florida, for example, has emerged as a hotspot for infrastructure and commercial projects. Cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando have seen sustained demand for construction leadership roles, forcing firms to increase offers to attract and retain professionals. The gap between the supply of skilled workers and the number of active projects has turned Florida into a highly competitive market, particularly for roles like construction managers and superintendents, pushing construction salaries to new highs.

Superintendents Are the Big Winners in Construction Salaries

Within construction leadership, all positions are seeing salary growth, but few roles have benefited as much as superintendents. These professionals bring a unique combination of field expertise, project management skills, and leadership qualities that are essential for delivering complex projects. Online data reveals a growing interest in superintendent pay, with terms like “superintendent salary,” “superintendent wages,” and “salary of superintendents” reaching over 6,600 monthly searches. This reflects an acute labor shortage, as companies compete fiercely to attract experienced superintendents who can ensure that projects stay within budget and on schedule, directly impacting construction salaries for this role.

Incentives for Superintendents and Their Salary Potential

The increasing demand has led firms to offer superintendents six-figure salaries, with comprehensive benefits packages that extend beyond traditional compensations. To take it a step further, many firms are incorporating creative incentives like stock options, profit-sharing plans, and enhanced retirement contributions. These efforts have become particularly critical in retaining top candidates, as turnover in superintendent roles disrupts critical project timelines and further drives up construction salaries in this segment.

The Role of Construction Recruiters in Shaping Construction Salaries

Enter construction recruiters. These specialists are playing a pivotal role in helping contractors and GCs secure exceptional talent, particularly for superintendent roles. By tapping into networks of professionals who may not be actively searching, construction recruiters can present companies with candidates who have precisely the experience and leadership skills they need to excel in demanding roles. For candidates, working with construction recruiters provides access to exclusive opportunities that may not be publicly advertised, often leading to better salary negotiations and higher construction salaries.

What’s Driving the Surge in Construction Salaries?

Several factors are converging to push construction salaries higher than at any point in recent memory. While the shortage of skilled labor remains a significant driver, other forces are compounding the issue, including federal infrastructure initiatives, private sector growth, and geographic competition for talent, all contributing to elevated construction manager salary and other construction salaries.

Federal Infrastructure Investments and Their Impact on Construction Salaries

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) continues to funnel significant funds into public projects, particularly in transportation, water, and broadband sectors. This influx of projects has created unprecedented labor demands across the country, directly impacting roles that require high-level oversight, including construction managers and superintendents, thus pushing up their construction salaries.

Private Sector Expansion Elevating Construction Salaries

Growth in private sectors like industrial facilities, healthcare campuses, and data centers is compounding the effects of federal spending. Nonresidential construction firms are scaling their workforces to meet the booming demand in these sectors, further elevating wages for skilled professionals and increasing overall construction salaries.

Workforce Shortages: A Persistent Driver of Higher Construction Salaries

A generational shift in the labor force is also coming into play. Many Baby Boomers with construction expertise are retiring, leaving a significant gap that younger professionals are not filling quickly enough. Furthermore, a lack of interest in the skilled trades among younger generations continues to place stress on the talent pipeline, directly contributing to the rise in construction salaries.

Competitive Regional Markets and Their Influence on Construction Salaries

States with high-growth economies, including Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, are actively attracting talent from other parts of the country. Here, construction manager salary figures tend to outpace other regions, and even entry-level site leaders are commanding salaries above historic norms. This competition has created bidding wars as companies vie for the same small pool of candidates, driving up construction salaries across the board.

Technology’s Role in Construction Salaries and Hiring Trends

Behind the scenes, technology is quietly influencing construction salaries. Tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI) for site planning, and project management software have shifted the skillset required for leadership roles. Professionals who demonstrate technical aptitude alongside traditional leadership abilities are often rewarded with higher salaries.

Additionally, technology has changed how construction firms approach hiring. Platforms that analyze market trends, salary benchmarks, and candidate pools in real time are helping construction recruiters and hiring managers make informed decisions. For construction recruiters, these digital tools are particularly valuable in identifying passive candidates who may not be actively job searching but are open to new opportunities, influencing construction salaries by optimizing market matches.

Predictions for Future Construction Salary Trends

The climbing construction salaries of 2025 are likely just the beginning. Several factors suggest that compensation for construction managers and superintendents will continue to rise in the coming years. For example, global economic trends point to consistent investment in infrastructure upgrades and sustainable construction practices, both of which require specialized knowledge and leadership.

Post-2025, we can also expect to see:

• Greater differentiation in pay based on regional growth patterns, with Southern markets like Florida continuing to outpace others in terms of construction salaries.
• Increased incentives for highly technical roles that blend traditional construction expertise with advanced technology.
• A continued reliance on construction recruiters to bridge gaps in leadership and expand candidate pools, further impacting construction salaries positively.

Cultural Shifts in Leadership Expectations and Their Impact on Construction Salaries

The rising construction salaries are not just a reflection of demand but also of changing expectations for leadership roles within the construction industry. Today’s construction managers and superintendents are seen as essential drivers of company culture, team collaboration, and innovation. For example, beyond delivering projects on time, they are expected to foster subcontractor relationships, advance team retention strategies, and implement green building practices.

To meet these challenges, professionals with advanced soft skills, such as communication and adaptability, are in higher demand than ever. Construction recruiters emphasize these capabilities when sourcing candidates, recognizing their importance in driving both project and organizational success, which in turn influences construction salaries for top talent.

Florida’s Leadership in Job Growth and its Effect on Construction Salaries

Florida remains the most dynamic market for construction jobs in 2025, continuing to lead the nation in job growth and salary increases. Over the past year, the state has added approximately 12,400 construction jobs, representing a 1.9% increase. Cities like Miami-Dade are at the forefront, driving robust growth in both infrastructure and private development projects.

This rise in construction activity aligns with the state’s economic priorities, which include extensive investment in healthcare, education, and transportation infrastructure. For construction managers or superintendents seeking opportunities, Florida offers an ideal environment for career growth and competitive compensation, particularly in areas where wages remain at all-time highs, driving up overall construction salaries.

How to Succeed in 2025’s Competitive Market for Construction Salaries

For both employers and candidates, understanding the dynamics of the 2025 hiring market is critical to navigating construction salaries effectively.

For Employers (Optimizing Construction Salaries):

• Collaborate with Construction Recruiters: Enlist construction recruiters who specialize in leadership hires to provide targeted solutions for your hiring needs and competitive construction salaries.
• Streamline Compensation Packages: Transparently align salary offers with market data, including clear paths for bonuses or other financial incentives, to attract and retain top talent.
• Strengthen Culture: Talented professionals prioritize companies that promote stability, growth, and innovation, alongside attractive construction salaries.

For Candidates (Maximizing Your Construction Salary):

• Recognize the Value of Networking: Engage both in-person and online with construction recruiters for better visibility within the market and higher construction salaries.
• Stay Market-Aware: Regularly benchmark your skills and experience against the latest construction manager salary data. Explore roles like an Assistant Superintendent or a Superintendent I to understand salary expectations. If you’re a construction professional looking to boost your earnings, understanding the factors that influence a Construction Project Manager Salary is key. For those with a knack for numbers, insights into Senior Estimator roles can also be valuable. You might also consider the trajectory of a Project Director.
• Evaluate Long-Term Fit: Don’t jump at the first high offer. Instead, focus on career roles that fit your expertise and long-term goals, aligning with your desired construction salary trajectory.

Final Thoughts on Construction Salaries

The construction industry in 2025 represents both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. For professionals, rising salaries validate the value of leadership roles, whether as a construction manager or superintendent. For construction firms, the combination of aggressive market conditions and labor shortages emphasizes the need for strategic, forward-thinking hiring practices that acknowledge competitive construction salaries.

At The Birmingham Group, we’ve spent five decades helping clients find tailored solutions to staffing challenges and unlocking career-defining opportunities for professionals. Whether your focus lies in fortifying your leadership team or discovering untapped career potential, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Click here to schedule time with Brian and explore the possibilities today.

Looking ahead, salaries for construction professionals—especially construction managers and superintendents—are expected to continue rising. This isn’t just a short-term correction; it’s the beginning of a longer-term labor market realignment as demand stays strong and the skilled workforce remains constrained, further impacting construction salaries.

Construction recruiters play a crucial role in this ecosystem, helping both companies and candidates navigate these shifts. The best firms aren’t just filling jobs—they’re partnering with organizations to build sustainable, competitive teams, often with significant implications for construction salaries.

For further insights into the broader economic landscape influencing these trends, you can review recent industry reports. The ABC May 2025 Jobs Report indicates continued growth in nonresidential construction jobs, while the DBIA May 2025 U.S. Jobs Report provides a broader look at steady growth amidst emerging challenges in the U.S. job market, which directly impacts talent availability in construction.

About the Author

About the Author As President & CEO, Brian Binke leads The Birmingham Group, an executive search firm with roots in construction recruitment dating back to 1967. Over the past 30 years, Brian has placed more construction managers and leaders than any other individual in the industry. In 2013, Brian was recognized as the #1 International Billing Owner within a network of over 800 recruitment firms worldwide. His expertise is regularly sought by prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Builder Magazine, Construction Today, Forbes, ENR, ConstructionDIVE, United Rentals, CBS News MoneyWatch, Fast Company, Human Resource Executive, and American Express, among other leading business and construction trade publications. Ready to find your next leader? Schedule a confidential call with Brian.