Construction Managers in Iowa. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Iowa's median wage for Construction Managers came in at $96,300 in 2024, about 13% below the national median of $110,156. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
The spread across pay levels is wide. A Construction Manager near the bottom of the earnings range took home around $50,710, while one near the top earned $149,990. Top earners make roughly three times what the lowest-paid workers in this role do. That range usually reflects differences in project scale, years of experience, and whether someone is running a small residential crew or overseeing a large commercial build.
Iowa's cost of living runs about 10% below the national average, based on BEA regional price data. After adjusting for what a dollar buys here, the $96,300 median translates to something closer to $107,100 in national-baseline terms. That closes most of the headline gap with the US figure.
BLS projects employment for Construction Managers to grow 8.7% between 2024 and 2034, a rate it categorizes as faster than average. Iowa added 2,200 jobs in this occupation in 2024. Growth at that pace would add a meaningful number of positions over the decade, though the exact count depends on how residential and infrastructure activity holds up statewide.
The average wage of $99,990 sits modestly above the median, which tells us a smaller group of higher-paid managers pull the mean up without distorting the picture dramatically. The distribution here is less top-heavy than in some coastal states.
Salary distribution
Where Iowa construction managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,890 and $130,920, with a median of $99,280.
Construction Managers in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 11 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $104,395. 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 I — entry | 2 | $85,375 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $98,500 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $104,395 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $121,139 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Construction Managers in Iowa. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Weitz Group LLC | Project Manager II | 3 | $99,466 |
| Stueve Construction, LLC | Pre-Construction Manager | 2 | $104,395 |
| Trenmor LLC | Commercial Manager | 2 | $121,139 |
| Christner Contracting, Inc. | Project Engineer | 1 | $83,200 |
| M. A. Mortenson Company | Senior Project Manager I | 1 | $140,800 |
| Premier Real Estate Services, LLC | Land Development Manager | 1 | $87,550 |
| Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. | MEP Assistant Project Manager | 1 | $98,500 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Project Engineer at Christner Contracting, Inc.$83,200OttumwaWage Level IDecided Jan 15, 2026I-200-26008-543790
- MEP Assistant Project Manager at Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.$98,500Cedar RapidsWage Level IIDecided Dec 15, 2025I-200-25342-464291
- Project Manager II at The Weitz Group LLC$121,275Des MoinesWage Level IIIDecided Nov 24, 2025I-200-25321-414296
- Land Development Manager at Premier Real Estate Services, LLC$87,550UrbandaleWage Level IDecided Aug 21, 2025I-200-25226-242332
- Senior Project Manager at Stueve Construction, LLC$104,395AlgonaWage Level IIIDecided Jun 23, 2025I-200-25164-091602
- Commercial Manager at Trenmor LLC$121,139WaukeeWage Level IVDecided Apr 11, 2025I-203-25094-832925
- Pre-Construction Manager at Stueve Construction, LLC$104,395AlgonaWage Level IIIDecided Feb 19, 2025I-200-25042-684711
- Commercial Manager at Trenmor LLC$121,139WaukeeWage Level IVDecided Jan 31, 2025I-203-25024-640268
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.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Construction Managers pay by experience level in Iowa
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 Iowa over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Construction Managers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Construction Managers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Iowa with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Construction Managers in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Construction Managers in Iowa is $99,280.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Construction Managers?
- The Iowa median is -13.7% versus the BLS national figure of $115,089.
- What is the salary range for Construction Managers in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,260 and the 90th-percentile at $167,250, 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.