How to Become a Construction Manager in Kentucky (2026)

Kentucky employs about 2,990 construction managers earning a median $97,020 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most construction managers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Kentucky.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Kentucky): $97,020/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Kentucky: 2,990 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.61x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 8.7% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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Kentucky employs approximately 2,990 construction managers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $97,020 1. Nationally, construction manager employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 46,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a construction manager in Kentucky, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Construction Manager Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Construction Managers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction managers wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati3,050$104,710$112,790$68,940$164,310
Louisville/Jefferson County970$101,780$116,840$57,030$199,460
Lexington-Fayette590$100,810$119,200$54,310$213,230
Huntington-Ashland190$98,690$108,000$61,790$152,720
Clarksville150$101,230$113,950$68,950$172,820
Bowling Green140$101,400$112,670$52,920$203,660
Paducah90$97,660$114,510$67,760$189,960
Owensboro80$91,550$102,090$49,510$168,000
Elizabethtown60$92,360$100,860$50,950$159,270

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Kentucky): $97,020 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Construction Manager in Kentucky

How to become a construction manager in Kentucky? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction managers in Kentucky.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do construction managers earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for construction managers in Kentucky is $97,020 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $53,850 and experienced professionals can earn $195,530 or more 1.

How to Become a Construction Manager in Kentucky

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kentucky training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Kentucky that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to construction managers in Kentucky before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for construction managers in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 2,990 construction managers 1. Nationally, construction manager employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kentucky.

How much do construction managers earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction managers in Kentucky is $97,020, which is $9,960 below the national median of $106,980 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)