What the numbers say
Tennessee's median for Construction Managers came in at $99,790 in 2024, about 9% below the US median of $110,156. That gap is real, but it is not the whole picture.
The spread between what entry-level and senior managers earn here is substantial. The 10th percentile sat at $60,930 while the 90th reached $168,390. Top earners in Tennessee make roughly 2.8 times what those at the bottom of the range do. That kind of gap usually reflects differences in project scale, years on the job, and the size of the firms someone works for.
Cost of living narrows the headline difference more than most readers expect. Tennessee's overall cost-of-living index is 92.5, meaning the dollar goes farther here than in most states. After adjusting for that, the $99,790 median buys closer to $107,900 in national-baseline terms. The real gap against the US median shrinks to about 2%.
On the growth side, BLS projects the occupation to expand 8.7% between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the faster-than-average category. Tennessee's construction activity has been running well above its historical pace, and the pipeline of infrastructure and industrial projects in the state gives that projection some concrete backing.
Salary distribution
Where Tennessee construction managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,100 and $130,340, with a median of $99,790.
Construction Managers in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 15 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $100,500. 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 | 6 | $70,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $97,185 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $151,102 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $138,871 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Construction Managers in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Platforms, Inc | Construction Manager | 3 | $151,102 |
| HARRIS MOUNTAIN WEST, LLC | PROJECT MANAGER I | 2 | $75,000 |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Construction Manager II | 1 | $100,500 |
| Legacy South Builders, LLC | Project Manager | 1 | $93,870 |
| Austin Peay State University | Project Manager | 1 | $65,000 |
| S&ME Inc. | Project Manager | 1 | $114,873 |
| Roy Jorgensen Associates, Inc | Project Engineer | 1 | $62,816 |
| M. A. Mortenson Company | Project Manager I | 1 | $122,741 |
| Grinder, Taber & Grinder, Inc. | Construction Project Manager | 1 | $64,667 |
| Cumming Management Group, Inc. | Associate Director, Project Controls | 1 | $155,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Construction Manager II at Amazon.com Services LLC$100,500NashvilleWage Level IIDecided Sep 12, 2025I-200-25248-288923
- Project Manager at Legacy South Builders, LLC$93,870NashvilleWage Level IIDecided Sep 9, 2025I-200-25245-281123
- Construction Manager at Meta Platforms, Inc$151,102GallatinWage Level IIIDecided Sep 4, 2025I-200-25239-269780
- Project Manager at Austin Peay State University$65,000ClarksvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-143351
- Project Manager at S&ME Inc.$114,873NashvilleWage Level IIIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-102428
- Project Engineer at Roy Jorgensen Associates, Inc$62,816NashvilleWage Level IDecided Jun 11, 2025I-200-25155-053868
- Project Manager I at M. A. Mortenson Company$122,741NashvilleWage Level IVDecided Jun 4, 2025I-200-25148-026726
- PROJECT MANAGER I at HARRIS MOUNTAIN WEST, LLC$75,000STANTONWage Level IDecided May 9, 2025I-200-25122-931312
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 Tennessee
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.
Construction Managers specialties in Tennessee
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 10 certified offers. The most common variant is Project Manager at a median of $93,870.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | HARRIS MOUNTAIN WEST, LLC | 7 | $93,870 |
| Construction Manager | Meta Platforms, Inc | 3 | $151,102 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Construction Managers in Tennessee, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $151,102.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Meta Platforms, Inc | 3 | $151,102 |
| Professional services | S&ME Inc. | 2 | $134,937 |
| Retail and wholesale | Amazon.com Services LLC | 1 | $100,500 |
| Real estate | Legacy South Builders, LLC | 1 | $93,870 |
| Education | Austin Peay State University | 1 | $65,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Tennessee 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Construction Managers in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Construction Managers in Tennessee is $99,790.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Construction Managers?
- The Tennessee median is -9.4% versus the BLS national figure of $110,156.
- What is the salary range for Construction Managers in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $60,930 and the 90th-percentile at $168,390, 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.