Construction Manager in Daytona Beach, FL

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Construction Managers considering a move to Daytona Beach, FL.

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The Salary Picture: Where Daytona Beach Stands

As a local who’s watched this city’s skyline shift from mid-century motels to modern condo towers, I can tell you that construction management here is a steady, well-compensated profession. The median salary for a Construction Manager in the Daytona Beach metro area is $107,787 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.82. This is slightly below the national average of $108,210, but the lower cost of living more than makes up for the small difference.

The job market is niche but stable. The metro area supports 164 jobs specifically for Construction Managers, reflecting the constant need for oversight in both residential and commercial development. Over the past decade, the region has seen a 10% job growth in this sector, fueled by post-recession rebuilding, hurricane hardening projects, and the steady demand for new single-family homes in the suburbs. While the growth isn’t explosive, it’s reliable—a key factor for anyone planning a long-term career.

To give you a clearer picture of how salary scales with experience in this specific market, here’s a breakdown:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Daytona Beach)
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$70,000 - $85,000
Mid-Career (4-9 years)	$90,000 - $120,000
Senior-Level (10-19 years)	$115,000 - $145,000
Expert/Executive (20+ years)	$140,000 - $175,000+

When compared to other Florida cities, Daytona Beach occupies a unique middle ground. It doesn’t command the premium salaries of Miami or Tampa, where high-rises and complex coastal projects drive wages upward. However, it pays better than many smaller Florida markets like Ocala or The Villages. The key differentiator is the type of work. Daytona’s jobs are often focused on residential subdivisions, commercial retail centers, and hospitality upgrades (think renovations for the Ocean Center or beachside hotels). There’s less mega-project work, but the market is less volatile than in cities heavily dependent on single-industry projects.

Insider Tip: Your highest earning potential here is tied to specialization. A Construction Manager with a background in hurricane mitigation or Florida Building Code expertise will always be in higher demand than a generalist, especially with the frequent code updates following major storms.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. A median salary of $107,787 sounds great, but what does it mean for your daily life in Daytona Beach? After federal taxes, FICA, and Florida’s no-state-income-tax benefit, your take-home pay will land around $7,200 to $7,500 per month (this is an estimate; your specific withholdings will vary).

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the metro area is $1,152/month. This is a significant advantage. The Cost of Living Index here is 98.7, meaning it’s just a touch below the national average of 100. This slight edge is almost entirely due to housing costs, which are more reasonable here than in South Florida or even Orlando.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a Construction Manager earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$7,400	After taxes, health insurance, 401(k)
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,152	Can range from $950 in Port Orange to $1,400+ near the beach
Utilities	$250	Electricity (FPL) is the biggest variable; water is reasonable
Car Payment & Insurance	$650	Essential; public transit is limited
Groceries & Household	$600	Competitive with national chains and local markets
Healthcare & Misc.	$500	Co-pays, streaming, hobbies
Disposable Income / Savings	$4,248	For savings, travel, or a mortgage payment

Can you afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Volusia County is hovering around $315,000. With your strong income and low renting costs, saving for a 20% down payment ($63,000) is a realistic 2-3 year goal if you’re disciplined. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $315,000 home would be approximately $1,900 - $2,100, which is manageable on this salary. The key is avoiding the temptation to buy a beachside condo with high HOA fees unless you have a specific lifestyle reason.

Insider Tip: Many locals buy in inland neighborhoods like DeLand or Orange City for more land and lower taxes, accepting a 20-30 minute commute to job sites on the coast. This is a common trade-off for a better long-term investment.

Where the Jobs Are: Daytona Beach's Major Employers

The construction management job market here is a mix of large regional firms, local developers, and public sector projects. You won’t find the headquarters of global giants, but you will find stable employers with deep community roots. Here are the key players:

1. ICF (International Construction Firm) - Ormond Beach: A major player in commercial construction. They frequently manage projects for healthcare (on the Halifax Health campus) and large-scale residential developments. They are known for hiring PMs with strong project financial skills.
2. Homes by Towne: A leading regional homebuilder with a significant presence in the Daytona metro. They manage the construction of single-family homes in communities like The Lakes at LPGA in Daytona Beach and Bella Terre in Ormond Beach. Hiring here is tied directly to the housing market’s health.
3. Volusia County Government - Public Works & Building Services: The county is a massive employer. They oversee infrastructure projects, school construction, and county building maintenance. Jobs here offer excellent benefits and stability. Look for postings on the Volusia County Government Careers portal.
4. Halifax Health: The region’s largest hospital system. They are in a constant state of expansion and renovation. Construction Managers here work on medical office buildings, facility upgrades, and new patient towers. This is a niche but lucrative area.
5. Daytona International Speedway (IMC): The Speedway is a city within a city. Its management company, International Motorsports Center, handles year-round renovations, event infrastructure, and large-scale projects like the recent "Daytona Rising" redevelopment. The work is fast-paced and event-driven.
6. Orleans Development (Ormond Beach): A prominent developer focused on luxury residential and commercial projects along the coast and inland. They often hire or contract CMs for high-end subdivisions and mixed-use developments.
7. City of Daytona Beach - Building & Zoning: While the city’s hiring can be cyclical, they manage local permits, inspections, and public projects. Building a relationship with the city’s inspectors can lead to indirect opportunities with permit-holding firms.

Hiring Trends: The market is currently strong in single-family home construction and healthcare facilities. Commercial retail has slowed slightly post-pandemic, but industrial and warehouse construction is picking up along the I-95 and I-4 corridors. The biggest push right now is in renovation and retrofitting—upgrading older buildings for energy efficiency and hurricane code compliance.

Getting Licensed in FL

Florida is a licensed state for Construction Managers, but the path isn’t always a direct "Construction Manager" license. Most professionals operate under a Certified General Contractor (CG) license or a Certified Residential Contractor (CR) license, which authorizes them to manage construction projects.

Requirements for a CG License (most common for commercial/industrial):

• Experience: Four years of proven experience in the construction industry, with one year at a managerial level. You must document this.
• Exam: Pass the state-approved Certified General Contractor Exam. This is a two-part exam (business & finance, and trade knowledge).
• Financials: You must show proof of financial stability (net worth of at least $250,000 or a surety bond).
• Insurance: You must obtain general liability and workers' compensation insurance.

Timeline and Cost:

• Exam Prep & Application: 2-4 months. You’ll need an approved course from an FDBPR (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation) provider.
• Exam & Licensing: After passing the exam, processing takes about 30-60 days.
• Total Cost: Expect to spend $2,500 - $4,500. This includes exam fees ($300), application fees ($300), insurance down payments, and prep courses. It’s an investment, but it’s essential for independent work.

Insider Tip: If you’re already licensed in another state, Florida has reciprocity agreements with some states (like Georgia and North Carolina). Check the FDBPR website for the latest list. If you don’t have a Florida license yet, you can work as a Construction Manager under a licensed contractor’s supervision, but your earning potential and autonomy will be limited.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live will dictate your commute to job sites, which are scattered across the county. Here’s a breakdown of top neighborhoods for a working CM.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It Works for a CM
Ormond Beach (North)	Upscale, quiet, family-friendly. 15-25 min to Daytona sites.	$1,200 - $1,400	Close to I-95, excellent for commuting to Volusia County projects. Strong property values.
Port Orange (South Daytona)	Suburban, affordable, great schools. 10-20 min to most sites.	$1,050 - $1,250	The most balanced option. Central to the county, reasonable rents, and easy access to I-95 and US-1.
Daytona Beach (Beachside)	Tourist-heavy, vibrant, higher costs. 5-15 min to oceanfront sites.	$1,300 - $1,600	Ideal if your job is directly on the beach or at the Speedway. High energy, but parking and traffic can be a nightmare.
DeLand	Historic, charming, inland. 30-45 min commute.	$950 - $1,150	For those prioritizing a lower cost of living and a small-town feel. Popular with managers who work on inland developments.
Daytona Beach (Inland/West)	Mixed, more residential, less touristy. 10-25 min commute.	$1,000 - $1,300	Offers a lower cost of living than the beachside while keeping you close to the action. Look near LPGA Blvd.

Insider Tip: Traffic on International Speedway Blvd (SR 40) and Nova Road can be brutal during tourist season (Feb-Apr, Oct-Nov) and race weekends. When choosing a home, map your commute to a potential job site during rush hour. It’s a better test than any real estate app.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Daytona Beach, career growth is less about climbing a corporate ladder and more about specializing and expanding your network. The local market rewards expertise and reliability.

Specialty Premiums:

• Hurricane Mitigation & Code Compliance: This is the #1 premium skill. A CM who can navigate the Florida Building Code and design for wind resistance will be invaluable. Expect a 10-15% salary premium over generalists.
• Healthcare Construction: Working with Halifax Health or other medical facilities requires knowledge of specific codes (NFPA 99, ADA). This niche pays well due to its complexity.
• Government Contracting: Understanding the procurement process for Volusia County or the City of Daytona Beach can open doors to public works projects, which often have larger budgets and longer timelines.

Advancement Paths:

1. Project Engineer → Project Manager → Senior Project Manager → Director of Operations at a large firm like ICF or a homebuilder.
2. Field Superintendent → Construction Manager → Owner’s Representative (working directly for a developer or investor).
3. Licensing & Starting Your Own Firm: After 10+ years and a Florida CG license, many experienced managers launch their own small firms, focusing on residential renovations or small commercial projects. This is where the highest income potential lies, but it carries more risk.

10-Year Outlook: The outlook is positive, driven by two main factors: climate resilience and population growth. As more retirees move to Florida and sea-level rise becomes a tangible concern, the demand for CMs who can build stronger, more resilient structures will only increase. The 10% job growth figure from BLS data is likely conservative; local experts predict sustained demand for the next decade, especially in the suburbs where new master-planned communities are planned.

The Verdict: Is Daytona Beach Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, Stable Job Market: Consistent demand in residential and healthcare sectors.	Salaries Cap Lower than major metros (Miami, Tampa, Orlando).
Very Affordable Cost of Living: Your salary goes far, especially for housing.	Limited "Prestige" Projects: Fewer iconic high-rises or mega-developments.
No State Income Tax: Keeps more of your paycheck.	Tourist-Driven Economy: Can mean seasonal slowdowns in some sectors.
Ideal for Outdoor Lovers: Beach, rivers, and parks are part of daily life.	Car Dependency: You will need a reliable vehicle; public transit is sparse.
Central Location: Easy to travel to other FL cities or fly out of Daytona Airport.	Hurricane Risk: Requires resilience and proper insurance (both for property and your projects).

Final Recommendation: Daytona Beach is an excellent choice for a Construction Manager who values work-life balance, affordability, and stability over chasing the highest possible salary. It’s perfect for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, raise a family, or enjoy a beach lifestyle without the extreme costs of South Florida. If you’re an expert in hurricane codes or healthcare construction, you’ll thrive. If your goal is to manage skyscrapers in Miami, look elsewhere. For the right person, this is a place to build a career and a life.

FAQs

1. Is the construction industry in Daytona Beach seasonal?
It’s less seasonal than in tourist-only towns, but there’s a slight ebb and flow. The busiest periods for residential construction are typically the fall and winter months (Oct-Mar), when northern retirees are buying. Commercial and public works projects are less affected by seasonality. However, major events like Speedweeks (February) and Spring Break can cause logistical delays on job sites near the coast.

2. How important is local experience?
Very. While your out-of-state experience is valuable, Florida’s climate, soil conditions (sand!), and building codes are unique. Employers in Daytona Beach highly value candidates who understand local hurricane codes, coastal construction techniques, and the permitting process with Volusia County or local municipalities. If you’re new to Florida, consider taking a state-approved course on the Florida Building Code before interviewing.

3. What’s the best way to network in the local construction scene?
Attend meetings of the Volusia County Building Industry Association (VCHBA). It’s the central hub for contractors, developers, and suppliers. Also, the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce has events that are well-attended by construction firm owners. Building relationships with local inspectors and city/county planning staff is also a pro move—it’s a small world here.

4. Can I work as a Construction Manager without a Florida license?
Yes, but with limitations. You can be employed as a "Construction Manager" by a licensed contractor (CG or CR). However, you cannot legally contract directly with owners for construction services without your own license. Your best path is to get hired under an established firm and work toward your Florida license, which is highly respected and often required for senior roles.

5. How do hurricane seasons affect job stability?
Hurricane season (June-Nov) can actually boost job stability in the long run. While a major storm can temporarily halt projects, the aftermath creates a surge in repair, renovation, and rebuilding work. For a Construction Manager with expertise in restoration and code-compliant rebuilding, this can mean steady, high-value work for months or even years following a significant event. It’s a cyclical but predictable part of the local economy.