The Ultimate Career Guide for Construction Managers in Lee's Summit, MO

If you're a Construction Manager eyeing a move to the Kansas City metro area, Lee's Summit often flies under the radar. It's not the downtown hustle, but it's a powerhouse of suburban growth with a distinct identity. As a local who's watched this city transform from fringe suburb to a major economic hub, I can tell you it's a fantastic place to build a career if you value stability, good schools, and a community feel without sacrificing proximity to big-city opportunities. Let's break down the real numbers, the job market, and what life actually looks like on the ground.

The Salary Picture: Where Lee's Summit Stands

First, let's talk compensation. As a Construction Manager in Lee's Summit, you're entering a market that pays well above many other Midwestern cities of similar size, though it sits just under the national average. The median salary here is $106,034/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $50.98/hour. For context, the national average for this role is $108,210/year, meaning you're only about 2% below the national mark—a very strong position for the Midwest.

The job market is competitive but not saturated. There are approximately 208 jobs for Construction Managers in the metro area (which includes Lee's Summit, Independence, and parts of the KC core). This isn't a massive number, but it's stable. Over the past decade, the sector has seen a 10% job growth in the region, driven largely by residential expansion, commercial renovations, and infrastructure projects tied to the Kansas City International Airport expansion and new logistics corridors.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries scale predictably here, as they do everywhere, but Lee's Summit's cost of living makes mid-career jumps particularly lucrative. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Median Annual Salary	Key Local Factors
Entry-Level	0-3 years	$82,000 - $90,000	Often starts with large national builders or local civil firms. A bachelor's degree in construction management or engineering is typical.
Mid-Career	4-9 years	$106,034 (Median)	This is where most CMs land in Lee's Summit. You'll oversee a mix of residential (single-family, some multi-family) and light commercial projects.
Senior	10-19 years	$125,000 - $140,000	Leads major commercial projects or large-scale residential developments. Often requires a PE stamp or extensive project history with local developers.
Expert/Executive	20+ years	$150,000+	Typically in director-level roles at major developers, or principals of mid-sized local construction firms. Profit-sharing and bonuses can push this significantly higher.

Comparison to Other Missouri Cities

Lee's Summit is a sweet spot. It's more affordable than St. Louis and offers higher pay than smaller Missouri cities like Springfield or Columbia, without the intense competition of downtown Kansas City.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Job Market Vibe
Lee's Summit	$106,034	93.3	Stable, suburban growth, community-focused.
Kansas City (Downtown Core)	$115,000	98.5	High pace, more corporate, longer commutes.
St. Louis	$108,000	95.5	Mature market, more union influence.
Springfield	$95,000	88.2	Slower growth, lower pay, fewer large projects.

Insider Insight: The $106,034 median is very achievable. In my experience, local firms like McCownGordon and JE Dunn (headquartered in KC but with major Lee's Summit projects) often pay at or above this median for seasoned managers. The key is having experience with Missouri's specific building codes and weather-related challenges (think freeze-thaw cycles and tornado resilience).

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $106,034 salary sounds great, but let's get real about what it buys you in Lee's Summit. The city's cost of living index is 93.3, meaning you get about 7% more buying power than the national average. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $886/month.

Here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a single Construction Manager earning the median salary. We'll assume a standard tax filing and the MO state income tax rate.

Category	Monthly Amount	Notes
Gross Salary	$8,836	$106,034 / 12
Federal Tax (est.)	-$1,850	Based on 2023 brackets, single filer.
Social Security & Medicare	-$676	7.65% of gross.
Missouri State Tax	-$380	MO has a progressive rate, averaging ~4.3%.
Net Take-Home	$5,930	Post-tax income.
Rent (1BR Avg)	-$886	Can be as low as $750 or as high as $1,100 depending on area.
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	-$200	Midwest average.
Groceries	-$400	Slightly below national average.
Car Payment/Insurance	-$500	Lee's Summit is car-dependent.
Health Insurance	-$300	Employer-sponsored typical.
Retirement Savings (10%)	-$884	Highly recommended.
Discretionary/Other	-$1,770	Plenty left for dining, entertainment, savings.

The Homeownership Question: With a $5,930 net monthly income and a low $886 rent, buying a home is very feasible. The median home price in Lee's Summit is around $350,000. A 20% down payment is $70,000. With your discretionary income, you could save this in 2-3 years aggressively. A 30-year mortgage at 7% on a $280,000 loan would be roughly $1,860/month (including taxes/insurance)—still under 32% of your gross income, which is a healthy threshold. Most Construction Managers here own homes, often in the newer subdivisions on the city's east side.

Where the Jobs Are: Lee's Summit's Major Employers

Lee's Summit isn't dominated by one industry, but construction is fueled by specific, local players. The job market is a mix of large local builders, national firms with a strong KC presence, and civil engineering companies.

1. Van Metre Companies: A giant in the KC area, Van Metre has a massive footprint in Lee's Summit, especially in the New Longview and Summit Fair areas. They are consistently hiring Construction Managers for their single-family and active adult communities. Their projects are high-volume and offer steady work.
2. D.R. Horton: The largest homebuilder in the U.S. has a major division based in Lenexa, but they are the primary builder in most of Lee's Summit's new subdivisions (like Bridlewood and St. Luke's South area). They hire CMs for both production and custom home divisions.
3. Emmons & Associates: A local civil engineering and construction management firm based in Lee's Summit. They handle public works, site development, and commercial projects. This is a great spot for CMs who want to work on infrastructure, not just residential. They have deep city connections.
4. McCownGordon Construction: While headquartered in Kansas City, they are the dominant force on large commercial projects in the Lee's Summit area. Think hospital expansions, corporate offices, and retail centers. They are known for a strong company culture and are very active in the local chamber of commerce.
5. Bacon Construction: A family-owned firm based in nearby Independence, they specialize in municipal and utility projects. Lee's Summit's public works department often contracts with them for water main and road projects. A great network to tap into for public-sector work.
6. HNTB Corporation: The Kansas City-based engineering giant has a significant office in Lee's Summit. They work on major infrastructure projects like the I-470/I-70 interchange and bridge work. Hiring for their construction management and inspection teams is steady and tied to state and federal funding.

Hiring Trends: There's a noticeable push toward green building and energy-efficient construction. Many local firms are pursuing LEED certification, and having experience with energy codes (especially the new IECC standards) is a plus. Also, the shift toward design-build contracts means CMs are getting involved earlier in the design phase, requiring stronger pre-construction skills.

Getting Licensed in MO

Missouri does not require a state-specific license to work as a Construction Manager. You can practice with a degree and experience. However, top-tier jobs, especially in commercial or public works, often expect or require a Professional Engineer (PE) license or a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential.

• PE License: This is the gold standard for technical credibility. To get licensed in Missouri, you must:

  1. Hold an ABET-accredited engineering degree (4 years).
  2. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (typically your senior year).
  3. Gain 4 years of progressive engineering experience under a PE.
  4. Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam (Construction discipline).
  5. Apply through the Missouri Board of Professional Engineers.
  • Cost: $500 for the FE exam, ~$600 for the PE exam, plus application fees ($150). Total: $1,250-$1,500.
  • Timeline: 5-6 years from graduation. It's a long game but pays off in salary and job offers.

• CCM (Certified Construction Manager): Offered by CMAA, this is a project-management-focused credential. It's valued by owners and large GCs. Requires a bachelor's degree and 8 years of relevant experience (4 for a master's). The exam fee is ~$1,200. It's faster than a PE if you don't have an engineering background.

Insider Tip: Even without a PE, get your OSHA 30-Hour card and First Aid/CPR certifications. They are cheap, take a weekend, and are often non-negotiable for field-based CM roles.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live affects your commute and lifestyle. Lee's Summit is divided by I-470, with older areas to the west and newer, booming subdivisions to the east.

1. Old Town Lee's Summit: The historic core. Walkable, charming, with local shops and restaurants. Commute to most job sites (often east side) is 10-15 minutes. Rent is higher here for the character. Rent Estimate: $950-$1,200/month (1BR).
2. The East Side (Bridlewood, Longview): Where all the action is. New homes, master-planned communities, and schools. Commute to these job sites is 5-15 minutes. Very family-oriented. Rent Estimate: $900-$1,100/month (1BR).
3. The North Side (near 50 Hwy/US-50): More affordable, with a mix of older homes and new apartments. Quick access to I-70 and the airport, making it ideal for CMs working on logistics/warehouse projects. Rent Estimate: $800-$950/month (1BR).
4. The West Side (near I-435/I-70): Closer to downtown Kansas City but still in Lee's Summit. Older housing stock, but great for those who want an easier commute to KC offices. Rent Estimate: $850-$1,000/month (1BR).

Commute Reality: Traffic is minimal compared to a major city. The longest "rush hour" is 7:30-8:00 AM and 4:30-5:00 PM, and it's mostly congestion at major interchanges, not gridlock. Most CMs live within 15 minutes of their primary office or job site.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook for Construction Managers in Lee's Summit is positive, with an 8% job growth forecast. This is tied to the region's population growth and the need to replace aging infrastructure.

• Specialty Premiums: You can boost your income well above the median by specializing:

  • Healthcare Construction: Hospitals like Lee's Summit Medical Center and Saint Luke's East are constantly expanding. CMs with healthcare project experience command a 10-15% premium.
  • Industrial/Warehouse: With the boom in logistics along I-70 and the new airport, CMs who understand tilt-up concrete and large-scale warehousing are in high demand.
  • Renovation & Historic Preservation: Old Town Lee's Summit and older commercial buildings are seeing a wave of adaptive reuse projects.

• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from field engineer to assistant CM to CM. The next steps are Senior Project Manager, Project Executive, or Director of Construction. Another path is to leave large firms and start a niche consulting firm or small GC, which is feasible in a market this size.

• 10-Year Outlook: Expect continued residential growth on the east side and significant commercial and public works investment as the city matures. The key will be managing labor shortages and material cost volatility. CMs who master digital tools (Procore, BIM 360) and lean construction methods will lead the field.

The Verdict: Is Lee's Summit Right for You?

Lee's Summit offers a compelling balance for Construction Managers: solid pay, a low cost of living, and a stable yet growing job market. It's ideal for those who want a suburban lifestyle with easy access to a major city's amenities without the chaos.

Pros	Cons
Strong Salary-to-Cost-of-Living Ratio ($106,034 vs. 93.3 COL)	Car-Dependent: Public transit is limited; you need a reliable vehicle.
Stable Job Market with 10% Growth	Smaller Network: Fewer large corporate HQs than downtown KC.
Family-Friendly, Safe Communities with top-rated schools	Weather: Hot, humid summers and cold, icy winters can impact project schedules.
No State License Required for CMs	Limited "Prestige" Projects: Fewer iconic skyscrapers vs. downtown KC.
Proximity to KC's Airport & Major Highways	Social Scene: Quieter; nightlife is limited compared to a major metro.

Final Recommendation: If you are a mid-career Construction Manager looking for a high quality of life, homeownership, and a blend of residential and light commercial projects, Lee's Summit is an excellent choice. It's particularly well-suited for those with families or who are planning to start one. If your goal is to work on the largest, most cutting-edge skyscraper projects, you might prefer living in downtown KC. But for the vast majority, Lee's Summit offers the best of both worlds.

FAQs

1. Do I need a PE license to get a job in Lee's Summit?
No, it's not required by law. However, for senior roles at firms like McCownGordon or HNTB, or for public works projects, it is often a preferred or required qualification. Many CMs here succeed without one, especially in residential construction.

2. How competitive is the job market with 208 jobs?
It's competitive but not cutthroat. The 208 jobs represent a stable base. With the 8% growth, new openings are constant. Networking is key—join the local AGC (Associated General Contractors) chapter and attend the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce events. Many jobs are filled through referrals.

3. What's the biggest challenge for new Construction Managers moving here?
Adapting to the local building codes and climate. Missouri has specific requirements for tornado-resistant construction (especially in the Joplin corridor, which influences codes regionally) and strict energy codes. The freeze-thaw cycle also requires specific material and detailing knowledge.

4. Is it feasible to commute from Kansas City proper to Lee's Summit?
Absolutely. It's a reverse commute (from KC to the suburbs), which is much easier. Most CMs actually live in Lee's Summit or nearby suburbs like Blue Springs or Independence. A commute from downtown KC to Lee's Summit is typically 25-35 minutes without major delays.

5. How does the cost of living affect salary negotiations?
Use the data. With a median salary of $106,034 and a COL of 93.3, you have leverage. When negotiating, highlight your experience with local projects and codes. For roles above the median, tie your request to the specific value you bring, like managing healthcare or logistics projects, which are in high demand.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Lee's Summit Economic Development Council, Zillow, and author's analysis of local job postings.