Construction Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Construction Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $117,280 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $85,676 take-home, or $7,140 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction manager salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$16,972
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,271
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,701
- Illinois income tax$5,661
- Take-home pay$85,676
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Construction Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,500 | $26.68 | $44,172 | $3,681 |
| 25th percentile | $82,330 | $39.58 | $62,819 | $5,235 |
| Median (50th) | $117,280 | $56.38 | $85,676 | $7,140 |
| 75th percentile | $151,650 | $72.91 | $107,557 | $8,963 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,140 | $85.64 | $124,352 | $10,363 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $117,280 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction manager's $85,676 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,703 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.3× the national concentration of construction manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for construction managers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #29 of 35 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $159,430 | $120,236 | $108,191 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $156,470 | $110,610 | $102,165 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $158,000 | $110,977 | $98,591 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $122,190 | $94,783 | $98,386 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $166,030 | $111,378 | $96,337 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $146,740 | $99,336 | $94,228 |
| 7 | Tampa, FL | $120,800 | $93,813 | $92,985 |
| 8 | St. Louis, MO | $116,680 | $86,368 | $90,829 |
| 29 | Chicago, IL | $117,280 | $85,676 | $82,703 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
About the job: construction managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median construction manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $117,280 a year, or about $56.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,330 and $151,650.
What is a construction manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $117,280 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $85,676 a year ($7,140 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,661 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a construction manager?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $114,990. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,703 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #29 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction manager afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median construction manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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