Salary Guide

Salary Guide • 2026 Edition

See What Licensed Contractors Are Really Earning in 2026, and What's Driving the Difference

Our free 2026 State of the Construction Profession & Salary Guide breaks down real income data from construction professionals nationwide, and exactly what separates the top earners from everyone else.

Based on a nationwide survey of construction professionals conducted June 2026.

$170,790average total income, 2025
47%earned more than in 2024
$295,307average income for CCM holders
2026 State of the Construction Profession and Salary Guide preview
Why credentials outweigh experience: Certified Construction Manager (CCM) holders average $295,307, nearly $125,000 more than professionals with no certification at all. Licensed contractors average $188,156, about $68,000 more than journeyman-level license holders.

What's inside

  • What construction professionals actually earn, the real 2026 income numbers by role and license level
  • Which credentials pay the most, and the exact dollar impact of certifications like CCM, OSHA 30, and specialty trade credentials
  • Where you fall on the pay scale, how age, experience, education, and gender affect income
  • The surprising drivers of higher pay, how hours worked, project volume, and ownership structure change your paycheck
  • Where the industry is headed next, what top earners are planning for 2026 and the credentials they're chasing

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