Construction Manager in Alexandria, VA

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Construction Managers considering a move to Alexandria, VA.

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The Salary Picture: Where Alexandria Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Alexandria’s construction market is tightly linked to the federal government and a booming private-sector residential and commercial scene. While the national average for a Construction Manager sits at $108,210/year, Alexandria offers a premium. The median salary here is $111,001/year, translating to an hourly rate of $53.37/hour. This slight bump over the national average reflects the high cost of living and the complexity of projects in the D.C. metro area.

However, salary is heavily dependent on experience and the specific sector you’re in (e.g., federal government vs. luxury residential). Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn at different career stages in the Alexandria market.

Experience-Level Salary Breakdown

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes
Entry-Level (0-4 years)	$75,000 - $88,000	Typically an Assistant PM or Field Engineer. You'll manage smaller sub-contracts or specific trades on larger sites.
Mid-Level (5-9 years)	$95,000 - $125,000	This is the core range. You're running full projects, managing budgets, and dealing with city permitting directly.
Senior-Level (10-19 years)	$125,000 - $155,000	You’re managing multiple projects or large-scale developments (e.g., high-rise in Old Town, hospital expansions).
Expert/Executive (20+ years)	$155,000 - $190,000+	Director-level roles, major project executives for firms like Clark Construction or overseeing federal contracts.

Insider Tip: The 10-year job growth for Construction Managers in the metro area is projected at 8%, keeping pace with national trends. However, this doesn't capture the cyclical nature of government contracting, which can create sudden surges in demand for managers with clearances or federal project experience.

How Alexandria Compares to Other Virginia Cities

Alexandria commands a higher salary than most of Virginia, but it’s not the top earner. The cost of living is the key differentiator.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Housing Pressure
Alexandria, VA	$111,001	108.6	High
Arlington, VA	$115,500	145.5	Very High
Richmond, VA	$98,000	98.2	Moderate
Virginia Beach, VA	$96,500	101.4	Moderate/Low
Roanoke, VA	$89,000	85.6	Low

While Arlington pays slightly more, the jump in housing costs (index of 145.5) erases that gain for most professionals. Alexandria offers a "sweet spot"—high salaries without the extreme cost of living found in the immediate D.C. core. For a Construction Manager, this means your earning potential is maximized relative to your expenses compared to living in the District or Arlington.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the budget. A $111,001 salary sounds great, but in a high-cost area, it’s about what’s left after Uncle Sam and your landlord take their share.

Assumptions for this breakdown:

• Gross Annual Salary: $111,001
• Estimated Tax Burden: ~28% (Federal, State, FICA - approx. $31,080/year)
• Average 1BR Rent: $1,803/month (source: Zillow/Opendoor data for Alexandria)
• Take-Home Pay: ~$6,160/month (after taxes and 401k contribution)

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Person)

Category	Cost	Notes
Net Income (after taxes)	$6,160	Assumes $111k salary, standard deductions, no dependents.
Rent (1BR Average)	-$1,803	This is the citywide average. See neighborhood section for variance.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	-$150	Older buildings in Alexandria can be less efficient.
Car Payment/Insurance	-$450	Crucial note: Alexandria is walkable/bikeable in parts, but a car is often needed for job sites outside the core.
Gas/Commuting	-$200	Metro (D.C. Metro) is an option for office work, but job sites are often in the suburbs.
Groceries & Food	-$450	Alexandria has a mix of high-end (Whole Foods) and affordable (Giant, Lidl) options.
Health Insurance & Healthcare	-$300	Employer-sponsored is common; this is your out-of-pocket.
Misc. & Entertainment	-$400	This includes everything from dog walking to happy hours.
Remaining/Savings	$2,407	This is your buffer for savings, student loans, or discretionary spending.

Can you afford to buy a home?
This is the critical question. The median home price in Alexandria is roughly $650,000. With a $111,001 salary, you are likely priced out of a single-family home as a first-time buyer without a significant down payment or dual income.

The Reality: On a $111,001 salary, a condo or townhouse in Alexandria’s suburbs (like the West End or Del Ray) is a more realistic entry point. You’d need a minimum 10% down payment ($65k) and would likely face a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes/insurance) of $3,800 - $4,200. This would consume over 60% of your take-home pay, which is not financially advisable. Renting a 1BR for $1,803 is far more sustainable on this income.

Insider Tip: Many Construction Managers I know buy in the adjacent suburbs of Prince William County (Woodbridge, Manassas) or Maryland (Laurel, Bowie) where prices are lower, accepting a longer commute for equity.

The Job Market: Where the Jobs Are

Alexandria’s construction market is robust, driven by federal government proximity and a stable residential market. Here are the major local employers you should target:

1. Clark Construction Group (Bethesda Office): A giant in the D.C. area. They handle massive federal, commercial, and institutional projects. They have a strong presence in Alexandria for projects like the new Amazon HQ2 (in Arlington, but a major regional driver) and local hospitality builds.
2. The Walsh Group: Another national player with a D.C. regional office. They specialize in large-scale public infrastructure (transit, airports) and commercial projects. They are frequently awarded contracts for D.C.-area federal buildings.
3. Harkins Builders, Inc. (HQ in Rockville, MD): A leading Mid-Atlantic contractor. They are heavily involved in the Alexandria market for multi-family residential, mixed-use developments, and institutional work (like local school renovations).
4. City of Alexandria - Department of Transportation & Environmental Services: The public sector is a major employer. They hire Construction Managers and Project Managers for public works projects—road improvements, sewer upgrades, and public facility construction. These jobs offer stability and excellent benefits.
5. Inova Alexandria Hospital: With ongoing expansions and renovations, the healthcare construction sector is booming. Inova is a major client for contractors specializing in sensitive environments (clean rooms, patient wings).
6. National Trade Contractors: Firms like Hensel Phelps (federal focus) and Hitt Contracting (commercial interiors/healthcare) have significant D.C. metro operations and frequently seek experienced Construction Managers for their Alexandria and Northern Virginia projects.
7. Residential & Custom Home Builders: Firms like Craftmark Custom Builders and The Long Companies focus on high-end residential in Old Town and Del Ray. These are smaller, more intimate firms but offer direct client interaction and high-end project experience.

Hiring Trends: There is a high demand for managers who can navigate local permitting (City of Alexandria) and federal regulations (GSA, Army Corps of Engineers). Proficiency in software like Procore, Bluebeam Revu, and scheduling tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera P6) is non-negotiable. Bilingual (Spanish) skills are a significant advantage on job sites.

Getting Licensed in VA

Virginia does not require a state-issued license for general construction managers working on private projects. However, if you are performing contractor work (taking on the role of a general contractor), you need a Virginia Class A, B, or C Contractor License.

• Class C: For jobs over $10,000 but less than $120,000 per project.
• Class B: For jobs over $120,000 but less than $10,000,000.
• Class A: For jobs over $10,000,000.

Process & Costs:

• Exam: You must pass the required exam (e.g., NASCLA for Class A or B) or meet experience requirements.
• Bonding & Insurance: You must secure surety bonds ($5,000 - $45,000 depending on class) and general liability insurance.
• Cost: The application fee is $200. Exam fees are separate ($150-$200). Bonding costs vary but expect an upfront cost of several thousand dollars.
• Timeline: It can take 3-6 months from application submission to receiving your license, assuming you have all prerequisites (experience, exam results, insurance).

Insider Tip: Even if you aren't applying for a license, having your OSHA 30-Hour certification and a PMP (Project Management Professional) cert will make you a top candidate for firms like Clark or Harkins.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live dictates your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Alexandria is split into distinct areas.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
Old Town	Historic, walkable, charming. Commute: Excellent to D.C. via Metro (King St. Station). Job sites in this area are high-end residential/renovations.	$2,200+	A single professional who wants to be in the heart of the action and doesn't mind a premium price.
Del Ray	Quirky, artistic, "small town" feel. Commute: Walkable to Metro, but easier by car. Close to Amazon HQ2 area.	$1,900	Someone who wants a strong community feel, great local restaurants (Del Ray's "Restaurant Row"), and a slightly more affordable entry into a desirable area.
West End / Seminary Hill	Residential, family-oriented. Commute: Best for drivers. Good access to I-395 and I-495 (Capital Beltway).	$1,650	The budget-conscious. This is where you get more square footage for your rent dollar. Ideal for managers who need to drive to job sites in Fairfax or Prince William County.
North Ridge / Carlyle	Modern, urban, near the Eisenhower Ave Metro. Commute: Excellent Metro access. Close to the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.	$2,000	The professional who wants a new-build apartment with amenities (gym, pool) and a quick commute to D.C. or Arlington.
Rose Hill / Franconia	Suburban, quiet. Commute: Needs a car. Close to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station (off the Blue Line).	$1,500	Commuters to D.C. or Arlington. You get the lowest rent, but you're further from the core of Alexandria's social scene.

Insider Tip: If you're working on federal sites in D.C. or Arlington, living in the West End or Rose Hill gives you easy access to I-395. If your jobs are in the city itself (Old Town, Potomac Yard), Del Ray or Old Town offer a walkable/bikeable lifestyle.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Your career trajectory in Alexandria is tied to specialization and network.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Federal/DoD Projects: Managers with a Secret or Top Secret security clearance can command a 10-15% salary premium. This is a golden ticket in the D.C. metro area.
  • Healthcare/Higher Ed: Specializing in the stringent requirements of hospitals (Inova, Kaiser) or universities (George Washington, Georgetown) provides stable, high-value project experience.
  • Sustainable/Green Building (LEED): As Alexandria pushes for greener buildings, a LEED AP certification moves you to the top of the pile for commercial and public projects.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Project Manager (Mid-Level) -> Senior Project Manager (overseeing complex, multi-million dollar builds).
  2. Senior PM -> Project Executive (manages a portfolio of projects, client relations, business development).
  3. Project Executive -> Regional Director (oversees operations for a firm in the D.C. metro area).
  4. Director/VP of Operations (C-suite track for large national firms).

• 10-Year Outlook: The 8% job growth is solid. The key will be adapting to new technologies. BIM (Building Information Modeling) is now standard. Managers who can lead teams using 4D/5D BIM for scheduling and cost estimation will be indispensable. The influx of tech companies (Amazon, Microsoft) into the region will drive demand for complex, high-tech commercial and mixed-use projects.

The Verdict: Is Alexandria Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High Salary Potential: $111,001 median is strong, with upside in specialties.	High Cost of Living: Rent and home prices are significantly above national average.
Diverse Project Portfolio: From federal mega-projects to luxury Old Town renovations.	Traffic & Commute: Congestion is real. A 10-mile commute can take 45 minutes.
Proximity to D.C. Market: Access to one of the largest construction markets in the U.S.	Competition: You're competing with top-tier talent from the entire D.C. metro area.
Stable Government Base: Federal projects offer recession-proof stability.	Licensing Complexity: Navigating local (City of Alexandria) and federal permitting requires experience.
Quality of Life: Great amenities, parks, restaurants, and walkable neighborhoods.	Work-Life Balance: High-stakes projects can lead to long hours, especially on tight federal deadlines.

Final Recommendation:
Alexandria is an excellent choice for a mid-career Construction Manager (5-15 years of experience) looking to level up. The salary supports a comfortable lifestyle if you live within your means (rent a 1BR, don't overextend on a mortgage). The job market is deep, offering both stability (public sector) and innovation (private tech-driven builds).

It is not an ideal city for an entry-level manager to start from scratch, as the cost of living is prohibitive on a lower salary. It's also best for those who are willing to specialize—either in federal work, sustainable building, or a specific trade like healthcare construction.

FAQs

1. Do I need a security clearance to get a job here?
Not for all jobs. However, if you want to work for federal contractors (like Clark, Hensel Phelps, Walsh) on government buildings, a clearance is often required or strongly preferred. It can be a significant barrier to entry but is a massive career accelerator once you have it.

2. How bad is the traffic?
It’s bad, but manageable. If you work from an office in Alexandria (like Del Ray or the West End), you can often bike or walk. If you’re commuting to job sites in D.C. or Arlington, plan for the Metro. If you must drive, avoid the Beltway (I-495) during 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. Living in the West End or Carlyle gives you better highway access.

3. Is the job market competitive?
Yes. The 310 jobs in the metro area for Construction Managers are highly sought after. You need a standout resume. Highlight specific project types (e.g., "managed $25M school renovation"), software proficiency, and any certifications (PMP, LEED, OSHA). Networking through the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Virginia or Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) is crucial.

4. What’s the cost of living adjustment for a family?
If you have a family, the math changes drastically. A 2BR apartment averages $2,500+, and a single-family