What the numbers say
Construction Managers in DC earned a median of $128,770 in 2024, about 17% above the national median of $110,156. The mean came in higher at $141,920, which tells us a smaller group of senior managers and principals pull the average up.
The gap between the 10th and 90th percentiles runs from $81,010 to $209,590. That is a wide range. It reflects how much varies in this role: project scale, whether you work for a general contractor or an owner's representative firm, and how many years you have been running jobs. Entry-level managers and senior project executives are both captured in that spread.
DC's cost-of-living index sits at 117.7, meaning prices here run nearly 18% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the median wage translates to roughly $109,400 in national-baseline dollars. That nearly closes the gap with the US median. The headline premium is real, but a meaningful share of it goes to covering DC's housing and transportation costs.
BLS projects employment for Construction Managers to grow 8.7% nationally between 2024 and 2034, which falls in the faster-than-average category. DC's construction pipeline, federal renovation projects, and ongoing commercial development give the local market a relatively steady floor of demand, though the city's 950 employed Construction Managers make this a small, concentrated pool.
Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia construction managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $100,810 and $167,550, with a median of $128,770.
Construction Managers in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $116,150. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $115,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Construction Managers in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark G. Anderson Consultants, Inc. | Senior Project Controls Manager | 1 | $165,000 |
| MCN Build, Inc. | Construction Project Manager | 1 | $115,000 |
| Smoot Construction Company of Washington DC | Project Manager | 1 | $123,188 |
| Protec Construction Inc | Construction Manager | 1 | $116,150 |
| MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS, INC. | Project Controls Manager | 1 | $110,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Senior Project Controls Manager at Mark G. Anderson Consultants, Inc.$165,000WashingtonDecided Dec 24, 2025I-200-25352-492574
- Construction Project Manager at MCN Build, Inc.$115,000WashingtonWage Level IIDecided Sep 18, 2025I-200-25254-302551
- Project Manager at Smoot Construction Company of Washington DC$123,188WashingtonDecided Sep 12, 2025I-200-25248-290361
- Construction Manager at Protec Construction Inc$116,150WashingtonWage Level IIDecided May 6, 2025I-200-25119-918982
- Project Controls Manager at MARK G. ANDERSON CONSULTANTS, INC.$110,000WashingtonWage Level IIDecided May 1, 2025I-200-25114-898766
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Construction Managers pay by experience level in District of Columbia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Building and Construction
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Information Ordering
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Coordination
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Management of Personnel Resources
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- 02
Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
- 03
Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
- 04
Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
- 05
Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
- 06
Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
- 07
Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
- 08
Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+8.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for construction managers in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$128,190
Compare Construction Managers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Construction Managers in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Construction Managers in District of Columbia is $128,770.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Construction Managers?
- The District of Columbia median is +16.9% versus the BLS national figure of $110,156.
- What is the salary range for Construction Managers in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $81,010 and the 90th-percentile at $209,590, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Construction Managers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 8.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Construction Managers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.