What do construction managers actually earn?

Stop! Before we dive into the numbers, do you actually know what the daily tasks of a construction manager are? If not, take another look at this article: Construction Manager Tasks

And don't forget, with great power comes great responsibility. Here we have compiled for you what a construction manager is liable for: Liability of a construction manager

But now let's get back to the merits of construction managers. They are irreplaceable on construction sites. Thanks to them, everything runs smoothly. Or not, as the number of open positions has significantly increased in recent years. But to put it another way: your chances of starting out as a construction manager have never been better. If you do that, you can expect an average salary of about 60,300 euros per year. The range is approximately 51,000 euros at the lower end and 72,000 euros at the upper end.

Experience pays off

As in almost all jobs, experience has the greatest impact on salary in construction management. As a beginner, one can confidently demand between 46,000 and 66,000 euros per year. The range is immense. It depends on many different factors.

Across all federal states, one can assume the following magnitude:

- 3 years of professional experience: The salary ranges between 48,000 and 70,000 euros.

- 5 years of professional experience: The salary ranges between 51,000 and 72,000 euros.

- 10 years of professional experience: The salary ranges between 60,500 and 86,000 Euro.

The classification by years of professional experience is transparent and understandable. It becomes a bit more nebulous with these categories:

- Junior Site Manager: 46,300 to 66,000 euros, the average is 56,150 euros.

- Construction manager with professional experience: 54,100 to 75,400 euros, the average is 64,750 euros.

- Senior Construction Manager: 61,900 and 84,700 euros, the average is 73,300 euros.

This classification fits well with the potential salaries by year that we described above. Ultimately, how much you earn depends on your negotiations. We hope that our tips help you to demand a realistic salary.

More money through a university degree?

Whether studying better prepares one for work on the construction site is debatable. It is clear, however, that many – especially large companies – use academic titles to justify pay increases. We have summarized the levels below for you. Then you can check if your salary matches your education and simultaneously see if the next career step would also be noticeable in your paycheck.

- With a completed training: 32,500 and 45,000 euros, the average is 38,750 euros.

- With a Bachelor's degree: 44,000 to 62,000 euros, the average is 53,000 euros.

- With a Master's degree: 48,500 and 69,000 euros, with an average of 58,700 euros.

- With Doctor (PhD): 53,000 to 75,600 Euros, the average is 64,300 Euros.

More money through a move?

In addition to experience and qualifications, something as simple as your place of residence can also affect your salary. What advantages southern Germany offers can be read here: Construction Manager Salary in Bavaria

Of course, we have compiled the salary differences for construction managers in all federal states:

- Baden-Württemberg: from 57,700 to 80,000 Euros (Avg starting salary: 67,400 Euros)

- Bayern: from 67,400 to 77,300 euros (average starting salary: 65,100 euros)

- Berlin: from 50,600 to 71,300 Euro (Ø starting salary: 59,900 Euro)

- Brandenburg: from 48,400 to 68,300 (Average starting salary: 57,400 euros)

- Bremen: from 51,800 to 72,800 Euro (Ø starting salary: 61,100 Euro)

- Hamburg: from 52,600 to 73,900 Euros (Average starting salary: 62,100 Euros)

- Hessen: from 55,700 to 78,100 Euro (Ø starting salary: 65,600 Euro)

- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: from 43,500 to 61,000 Euro (Ø starting salary: 51,300 Euro)

- Lower Saxony: from 48,300 to 67,800 Euros (average starting salary: 57,000 Euros)

- North Rhine-Westphalia: from 51,500 to 72,200 Euros (average starting salary: 60,700 Euros)

- Rhineland-Palatinate: from 49,500 to 69,500 Euro (Ø starting salary: 58,400 Euro)

- Saarland: from 49,800 to 69,800 Euro (Ø starting salary: 58,700 Euro)

- Saxony: from 45,000 to 63,100 Euro (average starting salary: 53,000 Euro)

- Saxony-Anhalt: from 42,200 to 59,200 euros (average starting salary: 49,800 euros)

- Schleswig-Holstein: from 49,500 to 69,500 Euro (avg starting salary: 58,400 Euro)

- Thuringia: from 42,700 to 59,900 Euros (Ø starting salary: 50,400 Euros)

More net from gross

Whether moving for a better salary is worth it, of course, is a completely different matter. Because in many federal states that pay very well, the cost of living is also higher. Moreover, there are of course many other ways your boss can support you without increasing your salary. Perhaps you can first ask for a fuel or shopping voucher. Your employer can provide up to 50 euros a month tax-free. This means he pays 50 euros and you receive 50 euros. You save your tax and your boss the additional wage costs.

In addition, there are of course many other factors that determine whether you are happy at your workplace. Because one thing is clear, the latest machines and the best colleagues are definitely priceless.

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