Construction Manager in Franklin, TN

The Salary Picture: Where Franklin Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Franklin’s construction market is unique. We’re not Nashville, where the skyline changes weekly, but we’re a powerhouse in our own right. The historic downtown square, the sprawling estates in Leiper's Fork, and the constant demand for new schools and medical facilities create a steady, high-quality pipeline of work. For a Construction Manager, this translates to a stable career with a strong median salary, though it sits just a hair below the national average. The cost of living, however, is a significant advantage.

Here’s the hard data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market analysis:

• Median Salary: $107,365/year
• Hourly Rate: $51.62/hour
• National Average: $108,210/year
• Jobs in Metro: 177 (This number reflects the Franklin metro area, which is part of the larger Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metro Area. The actual number of opportunities is higher when considering Nashville's direct spillover.)
• 10-Year Job Growth: 8% (A positive, steady outlook, more stable than boom-bust cycles seen in other regions.)

Experience-Level Salary Breakdown

While the median is a good benchmark, your earning potential in Franklin scales directly with experience and the complexity of projects you manage. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on local project budgets and firm hierarchies:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Franklin, TN)
Entry-Level	0-3 years	$70,000 - $85,000
Mid-Career	4-9 years	$95,000 - $120,000
Senior	10-15 years	$120,000 - $150,000+
Expert/Executive	15+ years	$150,000 - $190,000+ (often with bonuses)

Comparison to Other Tennessee Cities

Franklin offers a compelling balance between salary and cost of living compared to Tennessee's other major metros.

City	Median Salary (Est.)	Cost of Living (Index)	Key Industry Focus
Franklin	$107,365	97.4	Commercial, Healthcare, Healthcare, High-end Residential
Nashville	$115,000+	~102	Music/Entertainment, Commercial, High-rise Residential
Chattanooga	$98,000	~92	Industrial, Automotive, Riverfront Development
Knoxville	$95,000	~91	Government/University, Industrial, Residential

Insider Tip: While Nashville's salary ceiling is higher, the competition is fierce, and the commute through I-65/I-440 can be brutal. Franklin provides access to Nashville-level projects (many Nashville-based firms have offices here) without the same daily grind, and your dollar stretches further.

---

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real. The median salary of $107,365 sounds great, but what does it mean for your monthly budget in Franklin?

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $107,365
• Filing Status: Single, no dependents
• Taxes: Estimated effective tax rate of ~22% (Federal, FICA, State). Tennessee has no state income tax, which is a massive advantage.
• Rent: Franklin's Average 1BR Rent: $1,442/month. We'll use this as a baseline.

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$8,947
Net Pay (After Taxes)	~$6,980	(22% effective tax rate)
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,442	A decent 1BR in a safe, central area (e.g., Cool Springs, Berry Hill)
Utilities (Elec, Water, Gas)	$180	Average for a 1BR
Internet/Cell Phone	$120
Groceries	$400
Car Payment/Insurance/Gas	$650	Franklin is car-dependent. Insurance rates are moderate.
Health Insurance	$300	(Employer-subsidized)
Retirement (401k, 6%)	$536	Crucial for long-term wealth.
Misc. / Discretionary	$400
Monthly Surplus	~$2,952	This is your savings, down payment fund, or investment capital.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
With a $2,952 monthly surplus, homeownership is very attainable. The median home price in Franklin is around $550,000. A 20% down payment is $110,000. At your salary, saving $50,000/year (after a 6% 401k contribution) is challenging but possible in 2-3 years with disciplined budgeting. A more realistic path for many is a 5-10% down payment, using an FHA or conventional loan. Your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $500k home with 10% down would be roughly $2,800-$3,100. This is tight on a single income but doable if your partner works or you secure a senior role. Many construction managers in Franklin live in nearby suburbs like Spring Hill or Nolensville for more space at a lower cost.

---

Where the Jobs Are: Franklin's Major Employers

Franklin's construction market is driven by a mix of large corporations, healthcare giants, and a robust residential sector. Here are the key players:

1. HCA Healthcare: A massive employer with multiple facilities in the area, including Franklin Medical Center and the TriStar Horizon Medical Center in Murfreesboro (a short commute). They are constantly expanding, renovating, and building new outpatient clinics. Hiring is steady for CMs with healthcare project experience.
2. Acorn Health (formerly Kindred Healthcare): This organization operates several skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. They are in a constant state of renovation and new build-outs, requiring CMs who understand healthcare codes and life safety requirements.
3. Nashville General Hospital (William R. Joyner Building Expansion): While technically in Nashville, this major healthcare expansion is a huge project that many Franklin-based firms are bidding on and working on. It's a premier project for any CM's portfolio.
4. Franklin Special School District (FSSD) & Williamson County Schools (WCS): These are some of the most well-funded districts in the state. They have ongoing bond issues for new schools (like the new Franklin High School campus) and constant renovations to aging facilities. This is stable, public-sector work.
5. Local & Regional General Contractors: These firms bid on the projects above. Major players with a strong Franklin presence include:
   • BRIDGES: A Nashville-based firm with a significant footprint in Franklin's commercial and healthcare sectors.
   • R.C. Mathews Contractor: Another Nashville giant, heavily involved in institutional and healthcare work.
   • Southern Site Contractors: Specializes in sitework and civil projects, a foundational part of every large build in Williamson County.
   • Smaller, High-End Residential Firms: For custom home builders like Turnberry Homes or Hearthstone Homes, a CM with residential experience can command a premium.

Hiring Trend Insight: There's a noticeable shift towards adaptive reuse in downtown Franklin. Old warehouses and offices are being converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, and offices. CMs with experience in historic renovation and fast-track commercial fit-outs are in high demand.

---

Getting Licensed in TN

Tennessee does not have a "Construction Manager" license per se. Instead, they license the entities that perform construction work. This is a critical distinction.

1. Contractor Licensing (The Entity): If you work for a firm that contracts directly with owners (a general contractor), that firm must hold a Tennessee Contractor's License. The most common for commercial work is a Commercial Contractor License (Classification 0610-02). You, as the manager, may not need a personal license to oversee the work, but you must be a qualified employee (often called a "qualifying agent") for the licensed firm. This requires demonstrating your experience to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
2. Professional Engineer (PE) License (Optional but Valuable): If you have an engineering background and want to offer design-build services or stamp drawings, you'll need a PE license. This is issued by the TN Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. It requires passing the FE and PE exams, plus 4 years of progressive experience under a PE.
3. Certifications (Highly Recommended): While not state-mandated, these certifications are industry gold and often required for senior roles:
   • PMP (Project Management Professional): From the Project Management Institute. Cost: ~$400-$550.
   • LEED AP (BD+C): For sustainable building. Cost: ~$550.
   • OSHA 30-Hour: Essential for any site manager. Cost: ~$150-$200.

Timeline & Costs:

• To become a Qualifying Agent for a GC: You need to document 5 years of full-time experience in the construction trade. The application fee is $250. The exam fee (NASCLA Accredited Examination) is $260. Total start-up cost: ~$510. Timeline: 2-3 months to study and sit for the exam.
• To get a PE License: Requires a 4-year engineering degree (ABET-accredited), passing the FE exam, 4 years of experience under a PE, and passing the PE exam. Total cost: ~$1,200 (exams + application fees). Timeline: 5+ years.

Insider Tip: Start with your OSHA 30 and PMP. These are immediate value-adds. For the state license, if you're employed, your firm will often sponsor your application and exam fees.

---

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Your neighborhood choice in Franklin impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s guide:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Lifestyle	Avg. 1BR Rent	Commute to Downtown Franklin
Cool Springs	The commercial heart. Modern apartments, close to I-65, tons of restaurants (like Puckett's Grocery). Ideal for the young professional who wants to be near the action.	$1,500 - $1,700	5-10 mins
Downtown Franklin	Historic charm, walkable to the square, but parking is a nightmare. Older apartment buildings and some new luxury condos. A premium for the historic district feel.	$1,600 - $2,000+	0-5 mins (if you can find parking)
Berry Hill	A small, incorporated city inside Nashville, but with a Franklin postal address. Industrial-chic vibe, home to many creative agencies and breweries. Very popular with young professionals.	$1,400 - $1,600	15-20 mins (via I-65)
Spring Hill (South)	More suburban, family-oriented. Newer developments, better value for larger spaces. The commute can be long during peak times on I-65.	$1,300 - $1,500	20-30 mins
Nolensville (East)	Similar to Spring Hill but with a more defined "town" feel. Great schools, growing rapidly. Commute is via I-24 and I-65, which can be unpredictable.	$1,350 - $1,550	25-35 mins

Personal Insight: If your job site is in the Cool Springs corridor (which many are), living in Cool Springs or Berry Hill minimizes your commute to under 15 minutes, which is invaluable in the Nashville metro area.

---

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 8% 10-year job growth is a solid foundation, but growth for you as an individual comes from specialization and strategic moves.

Specialty Premiums (Salary Add-Ons):

• Healthcare Construction: +10-15%. The complex MEP systems, infection control, and life safety codes require specialized knowledge.
• Large-Scale Commercial (>$50M): +10-20%. Managing multi-story, complex projects is a high-stakes, high-reward skill.
• Sustainable Building (LEED): +5-10%. As Nashville and its suburbs adopt greener building codes, this expertise is becoming standard.
• Data Center/Industrial: While less common in Franklin itself (more in nearby Spring Hill and Nashville), this is a booming sector. Experience here can command a significant premium.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field Superintendent -> Project Manager -> Senior Project Manager -> Project Executive. This is the standard path within a GC firm.
2. Construction Manager (Owner's Rep) -> Director of Construction. Many large employers (HCA, schools) hire CMs to represent their interests. This path offers better work-life balance and a focus on budget/strategy over daily site chaos.
3. Specialist -> Consultant. With 15+ years of niche experience (e.g., hospital builds), you can go out on your own as a consultant for smaller firms or owners.

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain steady. The Nashville metro area is not cooling down. Franklin will continue to be the hub for high-end residential, healthcare, and corporate campuses. The biggest risk is a labor shortage, which will keep wages competitive. Your long-term job security is high if you keep your skills current.

---

The Verdict: Is Franklin Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable job market tied to Nashville's growth.	Competitive housing market (buying is tough).
No state income tax boosts take-home pay.	Car dependency and increasing traffic congestion.
Lower cost of living than Nashville with similar salaries.	Can feel "suburban" if you crave a dense urban core.
Access to high-quality projects (healthcare, commercial).	Limited public transit (Nashville's BRT is 20-30 mins away).
Excellent public schools (if family planning).	Social scene is more family-oriented than bachelor/bachelorette.
Safe, clean, and community-focused.	Slower pace compared to major coastal cities.

Final Recommendation:
Franklin is an excellent choice for mid-career Construction Managers (4-15 years experience) who are looking for a balance of career challenge and quality of life. It's ideal if you value safety, good schools, and a professional network without the relentless energy and cost of a major city. It's less ideal for a recent graduate seeking a vibrant, non-stop nightlife or for those who rely on public transit. If you can secure a role at one of the major employers or a reputable GC, and you're willing to budget wisely for a home, Franklin offers one of the best long-term value propositions for construction professionals in the Southeast.

---

FAQs

1. How is the construction market in Franklin affected by Nashville's boom?
It's a direct benefit. As Nashville becomes prohibitively expensive, corporations and hospitals expand into the Franklin submarket. We're seeing more corporate campuses (like the new Amazon fulfillment center in nearby Lebanon) and healthcare facilities, all of which require experienced CMs. The work is here because Nashville's growth is pushing it out.

2. Do I need to be a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to be a Construction Manager in Franklin?
No. The vast majority of CMs are not PEs. The state licenses the contracting firm, not the individual manager. However, having a PE license can open doors to project executive roles, design-build firms, and consulting, and it can command a salary premium. It's a valuable career investment but not a mandatory entry ticket.

3. What's the typical work-life balance for a CM in this area?
It depends on the employer and project type. Public sector (schools) often has more predictable hours. Healthcare renovations can be intense due to working in live facilities. General commercial work follows standard business hours but with periodic long days during deadlines. Most firms respect the weekend, but site emergencies happen. The commute is a major factor—living close to your project sites is key to preserving your personal time.

4. Is it worth commuting from Nashville to Franklin for a job?
For a senior role with a $130,000+ salary, yes, but you'll pay for it in time and gas. The 20-30 mile commute on I-65 can take 45-90 minutes each way during peak traffic. It's often better to live in Franklin (or nearby suburbs) and