What the numbers say
The median Construction Manager in West Virginia earned $76,150 in 2024, about 31% below the national median of $110,156. That is a wide gap by any measure, and it persists even after you account for the state's lower cost of living.
West Virginia's cost-of-living index sits at 87.5, meaning prices run roughly 12.5% below the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the state median comes to around $87,000 in national-dollar terms. The gap narrows, but it does not close. A Construction Manager here still earns less in real terms than the typical peer elsewhere in the country.
The spread within the state is substantial. The bottom 10% of earners took in $53,280, while the top 10% reached $131,330. That is roughly 2.5 times as much at the top as at the bottom, which reflects how much experience and project scale affect pay in this occupation. A site supervisor managing residential work and a senior manager overseeing an industrial or infrastructure project are counted in the same category here, so the spread is expected.
The mean wage of $86,860 sits well above the median of $76,150. A smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up, which suggests the distribution is not evenly spread across the 670 people employed in this role statewide.
On the employment outlook, BLS projects this occupation to grow 8.7% in West Virginia between 2024 and 2034, which puts it in the faster-than-average category. Infrastructure investment and energy-sector construction, including the transition work tied to the state's fossil fuel and utility base, contribute to that figure, though the total employment count remains small.
Salary distribution
Where West Virginia construction managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,580 and $105,940, with a median of $76,150.
Construction Managers pay by experience level in West Virginia
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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Construction Managers in West Virginia is $76,150.
- How does West Virginia compare to the national median for Construction Managers?
- The West Virginia median is -30.9% versus the BLS national figure of $110,156.
- What is the salary range for Construction Managers in West Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $53,280 and the 90th-percentile at $131,330, 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.