The Complete Career Guide for Construction Managers in Cicero, IL

As a career analyst who has studied the Chicagoland construction market for over a decade, I can tell you that Cicero is a unique case study. It’s not just another suburb—it’s a town of 81,006 people with its own municipal code, its own police force, and a construction market deeply tied to the broader Cook County economy. If you’re a Construction Manager considering a move here, you’re looking at a place where the median salary of $109,054/year—or $52.43/hour—buys you a specific kind of lifestyle. It’s a blue-collar town with a white-collar professional opportunity, and understanding that duality is key.

This guide will give you the unvarnished data, the local insights, and the practical steps you need to decide if Cicero is the right move for your career and your life.

The Salary Picture: Where Cicero Stands

Let’s start with the numbers. The Construction Manager role in the Cicero area is solidly above the national average. The national median for this role, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hovers around $108,210/year. Cicero’s $109,054/year median is slightly above that, which makes sense given its proximity to the massive Chicago construction market. However, this is a median, which means it splits the field in half. Your actual earnings will depend heavily on your experience, the type of projects you manage (residential, commercial, civil), and your ability to navigate the specific demands of Cook County regulations.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect in the Cicero market:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Typical Project Scope
Entry-Level	0-3 years	$75,000 - $90,000	Assistant PM on smaller residential or commercial fit-outs; field superintendent training.
Mid-Level	4-9 years	$95,000 - $125,000	Managing mid-sized projects ($1M-$10M), like apartment complexes or retail centers.
Senior-Level	10-15 years	$125,000 - $150,000+	Overseeing large-scale commercial, industrial, or public works projects.
Expert/Executive	15+ years	$150,000 - $180,000+	Regional director, VP of construction, or specialist in complex civil/infrastructure projects.

Insider Tip: Large national firms with offices in nearby Chicago (like Turner, Skanska, or Clark Construction) often pay at the higher end of these ranges for senior talent, even if the office isn't in Cicero proper. The commute is worth the salary bump for many.

Comparison to Other IL Cities

Cicero’s salary is competitive within Illinois but sits in a middle tier. It’s not Chicago, where salaries can be 10-15% higher, but it’s also not a downstate market like Springfield or Peoria, where salaries are often lower. You’re paying a premium for the Chicago-area location, but the salary reflects that.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Driver
Cicero	$109,054	102.6	Proximity to Chicago, municipal projects, residential density.
Chicago, IL	~$122,000 (est.)	107.4	Major corporate HQs, mega-projects, highest density of opportunity.
Naperville, IL	~$115,000 (est.)	120.1	Affluent suburbs, high-end residential and retail construction.
Peoria, IL	~$98,000 (est.)	85.2	Healthcare and heavy equipment manufacturing (Caterpillar).

Cicero’s value proposition is clear: you get a Chicago-area salary without the highest Chicago-area cost of living, specifically in terms of housing.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $109,054 salary sounds great, but the real question is what you can afford. Let’s break it down for a single filer (using 2024 tax brackets for a rough estimate).

• Gross Annual Salary: $109,054
• Estimated Federal & State Taxes (approx. 28%): ~$30,535
• Net Annual Income: ~$78,519
• Net Monthly Income: ~$6,543

Now, let’s layer in Cicero’s specific costs. The average 1-bedroom rent is $1,231/month. The Cost of Living Index is 102.6, meaning you’ll pay about 2.6% more than the U.S. average for goods and services.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, Renting)

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Avg)	$1,231	A decent, modern 1BR in a safe part of town.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water)	$150	Higher in older buildings; lower in modern ones.
Groceries	$400	Cicero has several affordable grocery stores (Jewel-Osco, Tony's).
Transportation (Car)	$450	Includes gas, insurance, maintenance. Public transit is limited.
Health Insurance	$300	Varies widely; this is a reasonable employer-plan estimate.
Food/Entertainment	$350	Eating out, bars, movies.
Misc./Savings	$1,662	This is the key. After essentials, you have over $1,600 for savings, debt, or fun.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes. This is where Cicero shines for a professional with a $109,054 salary. The median home price in Cicero is roughly $300,000 - $350,000. With a $70,000 down payment (20% on a $350,000 home), your monthly mortgage, taxes, and insurance would be around $2,200 - $2,400. That’s about 30-35% of your net monthly income, which is considered affordable by most financial standards. For a dual-income household, it’s even easier. Many Construction Managers I know live in Cicero but manage projects in the suburbs, giving them a longer commute but excellent housing value.

Where the Jobs Are: Cicero's Major Employers

Cicero’s job market is a mix of local firms and regional players with a strong presence. The 162 jobs in the metro area for Construction Managers is a solid number for a town of 81,006, reflecting strong commercial and residential development.

1. The Town of Cicero Public Works Department: The largest single employer for CMs in town. They manage municipal projects—roads, sewers, public buildings. Hiring is steady but competitive; municipal jobs offer excellent benefits and job security.
2. Cicero Economic Development Corporation (CEDC): While not a direct employer, they are a major hub for connecting CMs with local development projects. They often have a pipeline of commercial and residential developments seeking qualified managers.
3. Local Residential Builders: Firms like D.R. Horton and Lennar have active communities in and around the Cicero area (like in neighboring Berwyn and Stickney). These are fast-paced, volume-driven roles.
4. Commercial Contractors: Companies such as Power Construction and Clark Construction have major projects in the Cicero-Cook County corridor, especially in industrial and retail sectors. They often hire for project-specific roles.
5. Healthcare Construction Specialists: With Mount Sinai Hospital and St. Anthony Hospital nearby, there’s a niche market for CMs experienced in healthcare facility renovation and expansion. These are complex, high-value projects.
6. Industrial & Warehouse Developers: The I-55 corridor and the area near Midway Airport are hotbeds for logistics and warehouse construction. Firms like Prologis or local developers often need CMs for these large-scale projects.
7. Cicero School District 99 & 201: School construction and renovation projects are publicly funded and require experienced CMs for oversight, often through contracted firms.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward specialization. CMs with experience in green building (LEED), BIM (Building Information Modeling), or municipal project management are in high demand. The growth in logistics/warehouse projects along the I-55 corridor is a specific, growing niche.

Getting Licensed in IL

Illinois has specific requirements for Construction Managers, though it’s not as rigid as for Architects or Engineers. The state recognizes the role but doesn’t have a mandatory "Construction Manager License" per se. However, you need to be qualified to manage projects that require state licensing (like public works).

• Key Requirement: For public works projects over a certain value, Illinois requires the CM to be certified by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). This is often the "Illinois Certified Construction Manager" credential.
• Process: It typically requires a combination of a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field (or equivalent experience), 3-5 years of relevant experience, and passing an exam. Costs for the exam and application are generally $200 - $400.
• Timeline: If you have the required degree and experience, the application and exam process can take 2-4 months. If you need to document experience or take prep courses, it can take longer.
• Insider Tip: The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation is the go-to resource. For municipal work, the Town of Cicero’s Public Works department has its own pre-qualification process, which often mirrors state standards. Always check the specific requirements for the jobs you’re targeting.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Living in Cicero means choosing a neighborhood that balances commute, safety, and lifestyle. Here are four key areas:

1. North Cicero (near oak Park border):
   • Commute: Excellent. Easy access to I-290 (Eisenhower Expwy) into Chicago or west to suburbs. Close to the Cicero Avenue commercial corridor.
   • Lifestyle: More suburban feel, slightly higher rents, mix of older brick two-flats and single-family homes.
   • Avg. 1BR Rent: $1,350/month.
2. Central Cicero (The "Town Center"):
   • Commute: Good. Close to the Cicero Metra Station (BNSF line) for a 20-minute train to downtown Chicago. Easy access to local jobs.
   • Lifestyle: Dense, walkable, with a vibrant commercial scene on 22nd Street and Cermak Road. More of an urban, bustling environment.
   • Avg. 1BR Rent: $1,200/month.
3. South Cicero (near I-55/I-294 interchange):
   • Commute: Strong for logistics/industrial jobs. Direct access to major highways for commuting to warehouse projects or the airport.
   • Lifestyle: More residential, quieter, with a higher concentration of single-family homes. Less walkable retail.
   • Avg. 1BR Rent: $1,100/month.
4. The "East Side" (near the Chicago border):
   • Commute: Very direct to Chicago, but can be congested. Good for jobs in the city or nearby industrial areas.
   • Lifestyle: Transitional area, with a mix of older and newer construction. More affordable, but do your research block-by-block.
   • Avg. 1BR Rent: $1,150/month.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Cicero is a fantastic place to build a strong foundation, but to reach the top of the salary range ($150,000+), you’ll need to think strategically.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Public Works/Municipal: +10-15% over residential baseline. Stable, but process-heavy.
  • Industrial/Warehouse: +15-20%. High demand, fast-paced, often with larger budgets.
  • Healthcare/Institutional: +20-25%. The most complex, with strict regulations, but highest pay.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Field Superintendent to PM: The classic path. Master the jobsite first.
  2. Project Manager to Senior PM/Estimator: Move from execution to planning and cost control.
  3. Senior PM to Operations Manager/VP: Oversee multiple projects, manage budgets and teams. This often requires moving to a larger firm with a Chicago office.
  4. Specialist to Consultant: After 20+ years, many CMs become independent consultants for municipal reviews or forensic analysis.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 8% 10-year job growth for the metro area is positive, outpacing national averages. The growth will be in specialized sectors: green retrofitting of older buildings, infrastructure upgrades (Cicero’s water/sewer systems are aging), and continued logistics/warehouse development. The CM who invests in BIM certification and sustainable building practices will be in the best position.

The Verdict: Is Cicero Right for You?

Cicero isn’t for everyone. It offers a high salary-to-cost-of-living ratio but demands a certain grit and an appreciation for its unique character.

Pros	Cons
Affordable Housing: A $109,054 salary goes much further here than in Chicago or Oak Park.	Commute: To downtown Chicago can be 45-60 minutes by car during rush hour.
Strong Job Market: 162 jobs and proximity to the entire Chicagoland market.	Public Transit Limitations: The Metra is useful, but bus service within town is not as robust as in Chicago.
Below-AVG Cost of Living: Index of 102.6 vs. Chicago’s 107.4.	Cultural & Lifestyle Fit: It’s a working-class, densely populated town. Not a quiet, leafy suburb.
Diverse Project Opportunities: From residential to industrial to municipal.	Property Taxes: Cook County has high property taxes, which affect home ownership costs more than the mortgage itself.
Insider Tip: The town has a fierce local pride and tight-knit business community. If you’re respectful and engaged, you can build a strong network.	Insider Tip: The noise and traffic from O’Hare and Midway are real. Check airplane noise maps before renting or buying in certain areas.

Final Recommendation: Cicero is an excellent choice for a mid-career Construction Manager (5-10 years experience) who is looking to maximize their income relative to housing costs. It’s ideal for someone who doesn’t need a "prestige" address, values stability, and is interested in a diverse project portfolio. It’s a place to build wealth and a career. If you’re a fresh graduate, you might start in a smaller suburb, and if you’re at the executive level, you might live in a pricier suburb but work in Cicero. For the core of the profession, Cicero hits a sweet spot.

FAQs

1. What’s the biggest mistake newcomers make when looking for CM jobs in Cicero?
Underestimating the importance of local certifications. For municipal jobs, the Illinois Certified Construction Manager credential isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s often a hard requirement. Get it before you move.

2. How do Cicero’s property taxes impact a homeowner?
Significantly. On a $350,000 home, you could be paying $6,000 - $8,000 annually in property taxes alone. This needs to be factored into your monthly housing budget, as it adds $500 - $650 to your monthly payment beyond principal and interest.

3. Is it necessary to live in Cicero to work there?
No. Many Construction Managers live in neighboring towns like Berwyn, Oak Park, or even further west in La Grange. The commute is manageable. However, living in Cicero can make you more integrated into the local business network and can reduce your daily commute if your project is in-town.

4. What’s the best way to find a job before moving?
Use LinkedIn and filter for "Construction Manager" within 25 miles of Cicero. Also, check the Town of Cicero’s official website under "Employment Opportunities." Contacting local construction firms directly (like the ones listed above) with a tailored cover letter mentioning your interest in the Cicero market can yield results.

5. How volatile is the construction market here?
Like any metro area, it has cycles. However, the 8% growth projection and the constant need for infrastructure, housing, and logistics space in the Chicago region provide a buffer. The municipal and public works sector in Cicero itself is also very stable, providing a safety net during national downturns.