What the numbers say
The median Construction Manager in Rhode Island earned $103,500 in 2024, about 6% below the national median of $110,156. That gap is modest, and it narrows further once you account for cost of living. Rhode Island's overall price index sits right at the national baseline, so the nominal gap is roughly the real gap too. A Construction Manager here gives up about $6,600 in annual pay compared to the national figure, but pays national-average prices for housing, groceries, and services.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners is wide. The 10th percentile came in at $76,880 in 2024, while the 90th hit $177,730. Top earners make about 2.3 times what the lowest-paid Construction Managers take home. That range reflects how much experience, project scale, and specialization drive pay in this occupation. Someone running a small residential build and someone overseeing a hospital expansion are both in the same BLS category.
The mean wage of $115,460 runs $12,000 above the median. That tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up, which is consistent with the wide spread above.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 8.7% between 2024 and 2034, a rate it classifies as faster than average. Rhode Island's construction base is small at roughly 420 employed managers statewide, so even modest growth in project volume can move the numbers. Infrastructure work and ongoing residential demand along the coast have kept the pipeline active in recent years.
Salary distribution
Where Rhode Island construction managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $84,340 and $130,040, with a median of $103,500.
Construction Managers pay by experience level in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island metropolitan areas.
- Providence$120,290
Compare Construction Managers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Construction Managers in Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Construction Managers in Rhode Island is $103,500.
- How does Rhode Island compare to the national median for Construction Managers?
- The Rhode Island median is -6.0% versus the BLS national figure of $110,156.
- What is the salary range for Construction Managers in Rhode Island?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,880 and the 90th-percentile at $177,730, 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.