A Career Guide for Construction Managers in Georgetown, Texas

As a career analyst who has spent years tracking the Texas construction market, I've watched Georgetown transform from a quiet Hill Country suburb into one of the most dynamic construction hubs in Central Texas. For Construction Managers considering a move here, the data tells a compelling story—but the local context is what truly matters. This guide breaks down the reality of living and working in Georgetown, using hard numbers and on-the-ground insights to help you make an informed decision.

The Salary Picture: Where Georgetown Stands

The construction market here is robust, but it's not Austin-level pay. Georgetown's median salary for Construction Managers sits at $107,430/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $51.65/hour. While this is slightly below the national average of $108,210/year, the cost of living adjustment makes it a competitive offer. The Georgetown metro area supports approximately 192 jobs for Construction Managers, with a 10-year job growth projection of 8%—driven largely by the relentless residential and commercial expansion in Williamson County.

To understand where you fit in this landscape, here's a breakdown by experience level:

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range (Georgetown)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$75,000 - $90,000	Assistant to PM, sub-contractor coordination, site documentation
Mid-Level (4-8 years)	$95,000 - $120,000	Full project oversight, budget management, client relations
Senior-Level (9-15 years)	$120,000 - $150,000+	Multi-project leadership, strategic planning, high-value contracts
Expert/Executive (15+ years)	$150,000 - $200,000+	Executive oversight, business development, complex public/private projects

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior is the most competitive. Georgetown's market pays a premium for managers experienced with Texas-specific code compliance (especially for multi-family and commercial projects in the I-35 corridor).

Comparison to Other Texas Cities

Georgetown's salary sits in a strategic middle ground. It's lower than the high-cost metros but higher than many rural Texas markets. More importantly, the 8% growth rate here outpaces many peers, signaling sustained opportunity.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US=100)	Effective "Take-Home" Value
Georgetown	$107,430	97.6	High
Austin	$118,000	114.5	Medium
Dallas	$112,500	108.2	Medium
San Antonio	$103,000	95.8	High
Waco	$95,000	88.3	Very High

Georgetown's sweet spot is its combination of solid pay and a cost of living index of 97.6—meaning your dollar goes further here than in Austin or Dallas, while still being near a major metro's job market.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. With a median salary of $107,430, your take-home pay after Texas's no-state-income-tax structure is approximately $82,000 annually (about $6,833/month) after federal taxes and FICA. This is a simplified estimate, but it sets the stage for budgeting.

The average 1-bedroom rent in Georgetown is $1,220/month. Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a Construction Manager earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,220	Average; varies by neighborhood
Utilities	$180	Electricity (TX high), water, internet
Groceries	$450	Slightly above national avg due to local prices
Car Payment/Insurance	$550	Essential; Georgetown is car-dependent
Gas/Transport	$200	Commuting to Austin or project sites
Healthcare	$300	Employer-sponsored plans common
Miscellaneous	$500	Dining out, entertainment, savings
Total	$3,400	Leaves $3,433 for savings/debt/retirement

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Georgetown is around $425,000. With a 20% down payment ($85,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would result in a monthly payment of approximately $2,300 (including taxes and insurance). Given your take-home of $6,833/month, housing would consume about 34% of your income—well within the standard 30-40% guideline. Many Construction Managers here buy within 2-3 years of moving, often in newer subdivisions like Sun City (active adult) or the growing master-planned communities near Lake Georgetown.

Where the Jobs Are: Georgetown's Major Employers

Georgetown's job market is a mix of large-scale developers, local builders, and institutional projects. The I-35 corridor is the economic spine, with major employers clustered in Round Rock (just south) and Georgetown proper.

1. Scott Felder Homes: A dominant regional homebuilder with a significant presence in Georgetown's new subdivisions (e.g., Berry Creek, Teravista). They hire for both custom and production building projects. Hiring is steady, with a focus on managers who can handle fast-paced timelines.
2. Cherry Creek Mortgage: While a lender, their construction lending division is a key employer for Construction Managers who specialize in loan oversight and draw schedules. They often partner directly with builders.
3. City of Georgetown: The city's Public Works department and Parks & Recreation are constant sources of municipal projects—road expansions, water line upgrades, and park facilities. These are stable, long-term contracts. Check the city's website for bid postings.
4. Austin Community College (Georgetown Campus): Ongoing expansion and facility upgrades. Project managers for educational institutions need experience with state procurement and ADA compliance.
5. The Strand at Georgetown: This massive mixed-use development (retail, residential, office) is a multi-phase project employing dozens of construction managers at any given time. It's a prime source for commercial/high-rise experience.
6. Local General Contractors (GCs): Firms like Crown Construction and Bulverde Construction are mid-sized GCs that handle a variety of public and private projects. They offer a more hands-on, diverse portfolio than the big national firms.
7. Hiring Trends: Post-2022, there's a noticeable shift. Residential starts have cooled slightly, but commercial and institutional (especially healthcare and education) projects are booming. The 8% job growth is largely in these sectors. Insider Tip: Network with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce; many mid-sized GCs hire through referrals before posting publicly.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not require a state-issued license for Construction Managers. However, the path to credibility and higher pay almost always involves professional certification.

• The Gold Standard: The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). It requires a bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) and passing a rigorous exam. Total cost: $1,500 - $2,500 (exam, study materials, membership).
• Timeline: For a mid-level manager, expect 6-12 months of dedicated study and application. The CCM is highly respected by major employers and public agencies in Texas.
• Texas-Specific: For projects over a certain value (often $500k+), you may need a General Contractor License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This is separate from a CM credential. The application fee is $205, and you'll need to provide proof of financial responsibility and insurance.
• Insider Tip: Many Georgetown employers will cover the cost of the CCM exam if you commit to staying with the company for 2-3 years. Always negotiate this during hiring.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and networking. Georgetown is geographically spread out, so choose based on your project sites.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's a Fit for a CM
Sun City (55+)	Active adult community. 15 min to downtown Georgetown. Not for young families.	$1,100 - $1,400	Quiet, established area. Great for networking with retired professionals.
Berry Creek	Master-planned, family-oriented. 20 min to Austin, 10 min to I-35.	$1,250 - $1,500	Newer homes, top schools. Many construction managers live here; easy local networking.
The Summit	Affordable apartments/townhomes near Round Rock. 25 min to Austin, 5 min to major employers.	$1,050 - $1,300	Best for commuting to Round Rock or Austin projects. Lower rent frees up cash.
Downtown Georgetown	Historic, walkable. 5-10 min to city projects, but limited parking.	$1,300 - $1,600	Ideal for managers working on city/county projects. Quaint but can be pricey.
Lake Georgetown Area	Suburban/rural mix. 20-30 min commute. Larger lots, more space.	$1,150 - $1,400	Best for those wanting a home office or workshop. Quieter, less traffic.

Insider Tip: If you're working on projects in Austin, living in The Summit or southwest Georgetown (near the Austin border) can cut your commute by 30 minutes. For city projects, look near the Williams Drive corridor.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Georgetown isn't a dead-end market for ambitious managers. The 8% growth is a floor, not a ceiling, especially if you specialize.

• Specialty Premiums: Managers with experience in green building (LEED) or multi-family high-rise command a 10-15% salary premium. The City of Georgetown’s sustainability initiatives are creating demand for green-certified projects.
• Advancement Paths: The common trajectory is from a national homebuilder (like Scott Felder) to a mid-sized GC, then to an executive role at a developer or starting your own firm. The latter is viable here; the market is large enough to support niche contractors (e.g., historic restoration, commercial TI).
• 10-Year Outlook: With the continued influx from Austin (looking for affordability) and the planned expansion of Samsung’s Austin chip plant (driving ancillary residential/commercial growth), the demand for skilled CMs will remain strong. The 192 current jobs could easily grow by 50+ in a decade. The key is to build a portfolio of diversified projects—don’t get pigeonholed in only residential.

The Verdict: Is Georgetown Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong job growth (8%) with diverse project types.	Car-dependent; public transit is minimal.
Lower cost of living (97.6) vs. Austin/Dallas.	Salary slightly below national average, though offset by lower costs.
Easy access to Austin's job market (30-45 min drive).	Competitive housing market; prices have risen steadily.
Growing city with small-town feel in core.	Limited nightlife/culture compared to major metros.
No state income tax boosts take-home pay.	Summers are hot; project sites can be brutal July-Sept.

Final Recommendation: Georgetown is an excellent choice for Construction Managers in the mid-to-senior level (4+ years of experience) seeking to balance career growth with quality of life and affordability. It's less ideal for entry-level managers (who may find more training opportunities in larger firms in Austin or Dallas) or those seeking a fast-paced urban environment. For a family-oriented professional with 5-10 years of experience, the math is compelling: solid pay, a reasonable path to homeownership, and a growing, stable job market.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to know someone to get a job in Georgetown?
A: Not necessarily, but it helps. The construction community here is tight-knit. Attending a Georgetown Chamber of Commerce event or joining the Central Texas BIA (Building Industry Association) can open doors. Many jobs are filled through referrals before hitting job boards.

Q: How does the commute to Austin affect my job options?
A: It doubles your potential job market. Many managers live in Georgetown but work on Austin-based projects. The reverse is also true. The I-35 traffic is notorious, so factor in a 30-60 minute commute each way if you choose to work in Austin.

Q: Is the market saturated with Construction Managers?
A: No. With only 192 jobs and 8% growth, demand is steady. The key is specialization. Managers who can handle public projects (city, county, school districts) or commercial TI (tenant improvements) are in higher demand than those focused solely on single-family homes.

Q: What's the biggest challenge for Construction Managers new to Georgetown?
A: Navigating the local regulatory environment. Williamson County and the City of Georgetown have specific codes and processes that differ from Travis County (Austin). Building relationships with local inspectors and plan reviewers is crucial for project success.

Q: Can I get a Construction Manager job without a CCM?
A: Yes, especially in residential construction. However, for commercial, municipal, or large-scale projects, the CCM is often a de facto requirement. It's a worthwhile investment for long-term career growth.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Georgetown Economic Development Department, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), CMAA, Local Market Analytics.