The Complete Career Guide for Construction Managers in Green Bay, Wisconsin

As a career analyst who's spent years talking to construction professionals across the Midwest, I'll tell you this: Green Bay isn't the first place that comes to mind for a construction boom, but it's a hidden gem for steady, skilled work. I've walked the job sites from De Pere to Howard, and I know the difference between a city that’s just building and one that’s strategically growing. This guide is built on real numbers, local knowledge, and the hard facts you need to make a move.

Let's get to it.

The Salary Picture: Where Green Bay Stands

First, the numbers. In Green Bay, a Construction Manager earns a median salary of $105,645 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.79. That’s solid for the region. However, it's slightly below the national average of $108,210/year. The key? Green Bay’s cost of living is a major equalizer. The metro area has 211 construction manager jobs, with a 10-year job growth projection of 8%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's stable and sustainable—exactly what you want when you're building a career, not just chasing a trend.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Your pay will climb with experience and specialization. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Green Bay market.

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary (Green Bay)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level Manager	0-3 years	$75,000 - $90,000	Project coordination, sub-contractor management, safety compliance on small-to-mid-sized projects.
Mid-Career Manager	4-9 years	$95,000 - $115,000	Full project lifecycle management from bid to closeout, budgeting, client relations, larger commercial or industrial projects.
Senior Manager	10-15 years	$115,000 - $135,000	Multi-project oversight, business development, complex estimations, high-stakes negotiations, mentoring junior staff.
Expert/Executive	15+ years	$135,000+	Director of operations, VP roles, specialized high-rise or healthcare construction, strategic firm leadership.

How Green Bay Compares to Other Wisconsin Cities

Green Bay holds its own, especially when you factor in affordability. It’s not Milwaukee or Madison, but it offers a different kind of value.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Market Driver
Green Bay	$105,645	92.1	Healthcare, Education, Industrial Expansion
Milwaukee	$112,300	~95.0	Corporate HQs, Downtown Development, Lakefront Projects
Madison	$114,100	~97.0	State Government, University, Tech & Biotech
Appleton	$102,200	~93.5	Manufacturing, Papermaking, Healthcare

Insider Take: While Milwaukee and Madison have higher ceilings, their cost of living eats into that advantage. In Green Bay, you can afford a home on a single income—a luxury in those larger metros. The $2,600 difference to the national average is negated by housing costs that are 20-30% lower than in Milwaukee.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. You're earning the median salary of $105,645. What does that actually look like month-to-month?

Estimated Monthly Take-Home (after federal, state, and FICA taxes for a single filer): ~$6,200 - $6,500.

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Gross Monthly Pay: ~$8,803
• Taxes & Deductions: ~$2,300 - $2,600
• Net Monthly Income: ~$6,200 - $6,500
• Average 1BR Rent (Green Bay): $841/month
• Utilities, Groceries, Car, Insurance: ~$1,200 - $1,500
• Remaining (Savings/Debt/Discretionary): $3,859 - $4,459

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?

Absolutely. The median home price in the Green Bay metro is approximately $250,000 - $275,000. With a 20% down payment ($50,000 - $55,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates (~7%) would have a monthly payment of ~$1,300 - $1,450, including taxes and insurance. This is well within the 30% rule (your mortgage shouldn't exceed 30% of your gross income). For a single person earning $105,645, that's a manageable 15-16% of gross, leaving ample room for savings and life.

Where the Jobs Are: Green Bay's Major Employers

The market isn't dominated by one giant but by a mix of established regional players and national firms with a heavy local footprint. Here’s who’s hiring:

1. Boldt Construction: Headquartered in Appleton but the largest player in the region. They handle everything from healthcare (Aurora BayCare Medical Center expansions) to industrial and commercial. They are the name to know. Hiring is constant for PMs with healthcare or industrial experience.
2. Miron Construction: Another regional heavyweight (Neenah-based) with a massive presence in Green Bay. They lead on educational (Green Bay Area Public School District projects) and municipal work. They have a reputation for investing in employee training.
3. Bayland Buildings: A local favorite for commercial, industrial, and pre-engineered metal buildings. Great for managers who want to work on fast-paced, technically specific projects. They’re deeply connected to the manufacturing and logistics sector.
4. Green Bay Packaging: A major local employer with ongoing plant expansion and maintenance projects. They often hire or contract with construction managers for their capital improvement projects. Understanding industrial maintenance is a huge plus here.
5. AECOM / HNTB: These national engineering and construction firms have local offices that manage large public infrastructure projects, including work through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and Brown County. Look here for highway, bridge, and public works management roles.
6. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: The campus is in a perpetual state of growth and modernization. They hire construction managers for facility management and oversee new construction, from science labs to student housing.
7. Aurora BayCare Medical Center / Prevea Health: The healthcare sector is Green Bay's largest employer. Hospital expansions, clinic renovations, and medical office buildings are constant. Specializing in healthcare construction (ICRA, MEP systems) is a golden ticket.

Hiring Trends: The focus is on healthcare and industrial/food processing. With the growth of companies like JBS (poultry processing) and the expansion of the Fox River industrial corridor, managers with experience in USDA-grade facilities or heavy industrial work are in high demand.

Getting Licensed in WI

Wisconsin does not have a state-level license for construction managers, which is common in the Midwest. However, certifications are critical for credibility and higher pay.

• State Requirement: No specific state license for Construction Manager.
• Key Certifications:
  • Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Offered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). This is the gold standard. It requires a bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience (or 8 without). Exam fee: ~$550. Maintenance requires ongoing education.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP): Offered by PMI. Highly valued, especially for larger firms. Exam fee: ~$400-$555.
  • OSHA 30-Hour Construction: A must-have for any site manager. Often paid for by employers.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you have a degree and experience, you can sit for the CCM exam within 6-12 months of deciding to pursue it. Study time is typically 100-200 hours. Without a degree, you'll need to compile detailed experience documentation, which can take longer.

Insider Tip: The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) handles building inspector and contractor licenses, not manager licenses. For CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist) or PE (Professional Engineer) licenses for specialized roles, you'd go through the DSPS and the Wisconsin Examining Board for Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Your commute matters. Green Bay is a driving city, but you can minimize the daily grind by choosing the right spot. I’ve broken this down by lifestyle and commute time to major job hubs (Downtown, the Fox River Industrial Corridor, and the I-43 corridor).

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. Rent (1BR/2BR)	Best For
Allouez (East Side)	Quiet, residential, near the river. 10-15 min commute to Downtown & most industrial parks. Excellent schools.	$850 / $1,100	Managers with families, those who want a short, easy commute.
De Pere (West Side)	College-town feel (St. Norbert), walkable downtown, great restaurants. 15-20 min to Green Bay's industrial east side.	$900 / $1,200	Younger professionals, those who want a more vibrant downtown scene.
Ashwaubenon	Home of Lambeau Field & Titletown District. Mix of commercial and residential. 10 min to Green Bay, 15 min to De Pere.	$950 / $1,250	Sports fans, those who want easy access to entertainment and shopping.
Howard/Suamico	Suburban, spacious, new developments. 20-25 min commute to Downtown Green Bay, but close to I-43 for travel.	$975 / $1,300	Those buying a first home, wanting more space, and don’t mind a longer commute.
Downtown Green Bay	Urban, walkable, near the Brown County Arena & river. Limited parking. 5-10 min to most offices.	$1,000 / $1,500	Young professionals who want an urban feel and zero commute.

Commute Insight: Traffic is not an issue here. A 15-minute drive is standard. The biggest factor is snow in the winter—having a vehicle with good clearance/AWD is a non-negotiable for a construction manager in Wisconsin.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Green Bay, growth isn't about jumping from firm to firm every two years. It's about specialization and taking on more complex projects.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Healthcare Construction: +$5,000 - $15,000 on base salary. Knowledge of ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) and medical gas systems is critical.
  • Industrial/Food Processing: +$5,000 - $12,000. Experience with USDA, FDA, and cleanroom standards is highly valued.
  • Heavy Civil/Infrastructure (WisDOT): +$7,000 - $20,000. Requires PE license or deep sub-contractor relationships.

• Advancement Path: The typical path is Project Engineer > Assistant Project Manager > Project Manager > Senior Project Manager > Project Executive or Operations Manager. Moving from a PM to an executive role often requires an MBA or significant business development success.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 8% job growth is solid. It won't boom like Austin or Phoenix, but it won't bust. The drivers are an aging construction workforce retiring and steady demand in healthcare and industrial. The key will be adapting to green building (LEED) and modular construction trends, which are slowly entering the market.

The Verdict: Is Green Bay Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $105,645 salary goes much further than in major metros. Homeownership is easily attainable.	Seasonal Economy: Harsh winters can slow projects (Dec-Mar). You need to plan for weather delays.
Stable Job Market: No "boom and bust" cycles. The healthcare and industrial sectors provide reliable work.	Limited International/National Exposure: You'll work on regional projects, not skyscrapers in NYC.
Short Commutes: You can live where you want and be at any job site in 15-20 minutes.	Cultural/Entertainment Scene is Smaller: It's not Milwaukee or Chicago. For major concerts or events, you drive.
Strong Community: It’s a "big small town." Networking is easy, and you build real relationships with local subs and officials.	Slower Pace: If you thrive on constant disruption and hyper-growth, this might feel too steady.
Outdoor Access: Close to Lake Michigan, the Fox River, and great hunting/fishing. Perfect for an active lifestyle.	Winters are Long and Cold: From November through March, be prepared for snow and sub-zero temps.

Final Recommendation:
Green Bay is an excellent choice for a construction manager who values stability, affordability, and a balanced quality of life. It's not the place for someone chasing the next big tech-driven construction boom. It is, however, ideal for a mid-career professional looking to buy a home, start a family, and build a long-term career with reputable, regional firms. If you want a manageable pace, strong community ties, and a salary that affords a comfortable lifestyle, Green Bay delivers.

FAQs

1. Do I need to know French or have connections to a local tribe to get a job?
No. This is a common misconception. Green Bay is a mainstream American city with a diverse economy. While the Oneida Nation is a significant economic force in the area (with its own construction arm, Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises), the vast majority of jobs are with private firms and are open to all qualified candidates.

2. What's the winter like for a construction manager?
Demanding. You need to be proficient in cold-weather construction techniques: concrete additives, winterization of sites, and managing shorter daylight hours. Projects don't stop, but they slow. It's a skill set in itself. Most firms have a strong safety culture around winter work.

3. Is it easy to break into the market as an outsider?
Yes, if you have verifiable experience. The local market is tight-knit, but it's also hungry for experienced managers. Attending local Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapter events or Wisconsin Building Trades Council meetings is the fastest way to integrate. Your resume and project history will speak louder than your zip code.

4. How important is a PE (Professional Engineer) license here?
For a pure Construction Manager role, it's not required. However, for roles that blend engineering and management (e.g., design-build, heavy civil), it's a massive advantage and can command a $10,000-$25,000 salary premium. It's also a prerequisite for moving into executive leadership at many engineering-led firms.

5. What's the one piece of local knowledge I need?
Understand the "Bay of Green Bay" effect. The city is on a bay of Lake Michigan, which creates unique microclimates. A project site in De Pere can have different soil and weather conditions than one in Suamico, just 10 miles away. Always do a hyper-local site visit. Also, know that "the 43" refers to I-43, the main north-south artery, and "the 41" refers to the interstate that circles the east side. Locals navigate by these.