An excellent Construction Project Manager can communicate well with all construction workers and managers across the project to ensure tasks are performed well and on-time. They create strong relationships between workers and managers, which are vital when dealing with tense situations that can arise anytime during a building project’s life cycle. Beyond managing relationships with key stakeholders, they identify goals, plan work assignments and schedules, and execute on budget and on-time.
Due to playing such a critical role in the construction process, construction project managers can demand a high salary for the value they bring to the project. Here are some ways to increase your construction project manager salary.
1. Upgrade your skills
Pursuing and improving in-demand skills could make you more competitive for promotions and higher-paying positions. These skills include:
- Understanding Construction Methods: Understand various construction methods and when to use them
- Budgeting Regularly: Understand how to develop and track a construction project budget
- Scheduling and Tracking: Create a clear system to share the construction schedule and track milestones.
- Site Safety Updates: Stay up-to-date on safety protocols for construction sites and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations
2. Continue to be great in your role
As a project manager, your salary is likely based in part on the success of the projects you oversee. Maintaining a consistent level of quality in your work can help ensure that you continue to receive positive feedback and raises. Additionally, keeping an eye on the budget and ensuring that projects are completed on time can help you demonstrate your value to your company.
3. Know the numbers
When you negotiate your salary as a construction project manager, it is important to know the salary range for your role. The salary range is also affected by geographic and market factors. These factors include the competition for employees with the needed skills and education, and the availability of jobs.
Here are some numbers which show construction project manager salary expectations in different areas.
Project Engineer/ Assistant Project Manager
(Assistant Superintendent)
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $83.54 | $107.15 | $97.94 | $93.88 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $76.58 | $103.67 | $91.87 | $89.61 |
| Northeast | $82.53 | $113.57 | $102.66 | $96.92 |
| Northwest | $92.54 | $117.72 | $110.97 | $105.47 |
| Southeast | $76.92 | $96.81 | $88.37 | $87.37 |
| Southwest | $81.29 | $100.52 | $92.88 | $92.88 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
**Percentile multiplied by $1000 reflects annual salary
Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager is typically responsible for projects in the range of $5 to $15 million. Most have a minimum of 3 years’ experience. They often work as the lowest level of the project management team, and are responsible for the overall direction, supervision, and daily operations of the project. They are often the touchpoint between multiple parties, including subcontractors, owners, unions, and other key members of the construction team.
Project Manager
(Superintendent I/General Superintendent)
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $146.18 | $175.99 | $160.47 | $160.68 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $147.11 | $188.23 | $167.77 | $168.80 |
| Northeast | $142.69 | $218.55 | $184.42 | $188.64 |
| Northwest | $139.91 | $201.59 | $182.37 | $187.71 |
| Southeast | $139.50 | $199.95 | $168.80 | $170.55 |
| Southwest | $140.42 | $197.07 | $166.64 | $168.49 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
**Percentile multiplied by $1000 reflects annual salary
Project Manager is typically responsible for projects in the range of $10 to $49 million. Most have between 5 and 10 years’ experience. Job responsibilities are somewhat similar to Project Engineer, with an increased level of accountability regarding the operation priorities, timeline, direction, and financial outcome.
Senior Project Manager salaries can be significantly higher than Project Manager salaries. Knowing these numbers is critical for candidates and employers in the construction industry.
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