Construction Manager Salary in Washington, DC
Construction Managers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $129,650 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $91,830 take-home, or $7,653 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction manager salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,850
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,038
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,880
- District of Columbia income tax$8,052
- Take-home pay$91,830
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,530 | $41.60 | $65,317 | $5,443 |
| 25th percentile | $104,010 | $50.00 | $76,129 | $6,344 |
| Median (50th) | $129,650 | $62.33 | $91,830 | $7,653 |
| 75th percentile | $162,410 | $78.08 | $111,437 | $9,286 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,160 | $99.60 | $139,560 | $11,630 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $129,650 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction manager's $91,830 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,337 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Construction Manager jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.86).
Best-paying cities for construction managers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #21 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 |
| 21 | Washington, DC | $129,650 | $91,830 | $84,337 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median construction manager salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $129,650 a year, or about $62.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,010 and $162,410.
What is a construction manager’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $129,650 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $91,830 a year ($7,653 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,052 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a construction manager?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $114,990. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,337 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #21 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction manager afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median construction manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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