Construction Manager in Little Rock, AR

The Salary Picture: Where Little Rock Stands

As a local, I can tell you that the salary for a Construction Manager in Little Rock is solid, especially when you factor in the low cost of living. Let’s break down the numbers. The median salary for a Construction Manager here is $104,671 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $50.32. This is slightly below the national average of $108,210, a difference of about 3.3%. However, that small gap is more than compensated for by Arkansas's lower tax burden and the city's affordability.

The local job market is stable, with 407 jobs currently listed for Construction Managers in the metro area. Over the past decade, the field has seen a 10% growth, indicating a consistent demand for skilled leadership, particularly with the ongoing development in downtown Little Rock and the expanding healthcare corridor.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the local market:

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$65,000 - $80,000	Assistant Project Manager, field supervision support, cost tracking under supervision.
Mid-Career	$85,000 - $115,000	Managing full projects ($1M-$5M), subcontractor relations, budget and schedule oversight.
Senior	$120,000 - $150,000	Leading major projects ($5M+), strategic planning, client management, P&L responsibility.
Expert/Executive	$150,000+	Executive oversight, business development, portfolio management, regional leadership.

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-career to senior is where you see the most significant salary increase. This is typically when you take on healthcare or institutional projects (like the UAMS or Arkansas Children's Hospital expansions), which carry higher complexity and pay a premium.

Comparison to Other Arkansas Cities:

• Fayetteville/NWA: Salaries here are often 5-10% higher, driven by the University of Arkansas and corporate HQs like Tyson and J.B. Hunt. However, the cost of living is also rising sharply.
• Hot Springs: Salaries trend lower, closer to $95,000, with fewer large-scale commercial projects.
• Jonesboro: Similar to Little Rock, but with a more focused market on agricultural and industrial construction.

For a construction manager, Little Rock offers the best balance of high-value project opportunities and manageable living costs in the state.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. Earning the median salary of $104,671 sounds great, but what does your monthly budget look like in Little Rock?

Here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for a single earner (using 2023/2024 tax estimates for Arkansas):

• Gross Monthly Income: $8,722.58
• Federal Tax (est.): ~$1,100
• State Tax (AR, est.): ~$350
• FICA (7.65%): ~$667
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$6,600

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$950	Citywide average. A modern 1BR in the River Market may be $1,200, while a similar unit in Hillcrest could be $900.
Utilities	$200	Electricity, water, internet. Summers can be hot, raising A/C costs.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Essential. Little Rock is car-dependent. Insurance rates are average for the US.
Groceries & Dining	$500	Little Rock has excellent local food; you can save by cooking or splurge on the growing food scene.
Health Insurance	$300	If provided by employer, this could be lower.
Savings/Retirement (10%)	$870	Aim for at least 10% of gross, ideally more.
Discretionary/Other	$2,280	This leaves a generous cushion for travel, hobbies, or aggressive savings.

Can you afford to buy a home?
Absolutely. The median home price in Little Rock is around $240,000. With the strong discretionary budget above, a construction manager earning the median salary can comfortably qualify for a mortgage. A 20% down payment ($48,000) is achievable with disciplined saving for 2-3 years. The monthly mortgage payment (with taxes and insurance) would likely be comparable to a nice 2BR apartment rent, making homeownership a very realistic and attractive goal.

Where the Jobs Are: Little Rock's Major Employers

The construction market here is driven by healthcare, education, and public projects. Here are the key players:

1. Momentum Group (Little Rock): A leading general contractor with a strong presence in healthcare (Baptist Health), higher education (UALR), and commercial projects. They are known for a collaborative culture and are consistently hiring for project managers and field superintendents.
2. CDI Contractors (Statewide HQ in Little Rock): A major player in the commercial and industrial sectors. They handle everything from office fit-outs to large-scale distribution centers. They have a reputation for stability and employee development.
3. Little Rock School District (LRSD): With a continuous bond program for facility upgrades and new schools, LRSD is a steady source of public works projects. These are often managed by district staff or through contracts with firms like Baldwin & Shell.
4. Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT): The agency overseeing massive interstate projects (I-30 expansion) and bridge work. While they hire directly, they also procure services from large engineering/construction firms. Knowing ARDOT standards is a huge plus.
5. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) & Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH): These are two of the largest construction clients in the state. Their ongoing expansions mean a constant pipeline of complex, high-value projects (new patient towers, research labs). General contractors like Hensel Phelps and Brasfield & Gorrie are frequently on site.
6. City of Little Rock & Pulaski County: Public works departments manage infrastructure projects (roads, water, parks). Jobs here are stable and offer great benefits, though the pay may be slightly below the private sector median.
7. Local General Contractors (Mid-Size): Firms like East-Harding Construction and Taylor Brothers Construction are pillars in the community, handling a mix of commercial, municipal, and institutional projects. They often provide a more tight-knit work environment.

Hiring Trends: The biggest demand is for managers with experience in healthcare construction and public works. Technology adoption (like Procore, BIM) is increasing, so managers who are proficient with digital tools have a distinct edge.

Getting Licensed in Arkansas

Arkansas does not have a state-specific license for Construction Managers, unlike some states for General Contractors. However, certain project types require specific licenses, and professional credentials are highly valued.

• State Licensing Requirements: To act as a General Contractor on projects over $50,000, you must be licensed through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB). This requires:
  • Passing the NASCLA exam (or Arkansas Business & Law exam).
  • Proving financial stability and experience.
  • Cost: Exam fees (~$300), application fee ($100), plus bond and insurance costs.
• Professional Certifications (Recommended): While not legally required, these are career accelerators.
  • Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Offered by CMAA. Requires experience and passing an exam. Cost: ~$1,200 for the exam and study materials. Highly respected.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP): From PMI. Useful for all management roles.
• Timeline: You can start the process immediately. Studying for the NASCLA exam takes 2-3 months. The entire licensing process, from exam prep to approval, can take 4-6 months.

Insider Tip: For a Construction Manager moving to Arkansas, focus first on getting your NASCLA Accredited Examination. It's the gold standard and is recognized in many states, including Arkansas. It shows you're serious and understand the business of construction, not just the fieldwork.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live will define your commute and lifestyle. As a construction manager, you'll likely have a company vehicle or travel between sites, but being centrally located is key.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It's a Fit
Hillcrest	Historic, walkable, trendy. 10-15 mins to downtown.	$900 - $1,100	Great for networking with local professionals. Close to many historic renovation projects.
The River Market District	Urban, bustling, in the heart of action. 5-10 mins to most offices.	$1,100 - $1,400	Ideal for those who want to be near everything. Walk to work if you're at a downtown firm.
Chenal Valley (West Little Rock)	Suburban, family-oriented, modern. 20-25 mins to downtown.	$950 - $1,200	Top-rated schools, newer apartment complexes. Easy access to I-430 for project sites in the west.
Capitol View / Stifft Station	Up-and-coming, central, quiet. 10-15 mins to downtown.	$850 - $1,000	More affordable than Hillcrest, with a mix of residential and new developments. Great for a calm home base.
North Little Rock (Park Hill / Argenta)	Historic, artsy, across the river. 5-10 mins to downtown LR.	$800 - $1,050	Argenta is a vibrant arts district with great restaurants. Slightly lower taxes than LR proper.

Commuter Insight: Traffic in Little Rock is manageable compared to other cities, but the I-30 bridge is a choke point. If you have sites in both Little Rock and North Little Rock, living near the River Market (which is walkable to the bridge) is a strategic advantage.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Little Rock, career growth is tied to project complexity and specialization.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare Construction: Managers with 5+ years of experience in healthcare (infection control, equipment coordination) can command a 10-15% premium over the median.
• Public Works: Expertise in navigating ARDOT, LRSD, or municipal procurement processes is invaluable and can lead to leadership roles in public sector firms.
• Industrial/Warehouse: With the growth of e-commerce, experience in large-scale distribution centers (like those near the Clinton National Airport) is a growing niche.

Advancement Paths:

1. Project Manager → Senior PM: Take on larger budgets ($10M+), manage multiple projects, and start client development.
2. Senior PM → Operations Manager / VP of Construction: Shift from project-specific to overseeing multiple teams, managing profit/loss, and setting company strategy.
3. Corporate Path: Move from a GC to a large development firm (like Wright Lindsey Jennings in real estate development) or into a senior role with a major owner like Arc Best or Dillard’s.
4. Entrepreneurial: Arkansas has a supportive environment for small business. Many successful GCs started as field supervisors here. The low overhead and strong local network make it feasible.

10-Year Outlook: The 10% job growth is expected to continue, driven by the aging infrastructure (bridges, roads), the expansion of the healthcare sector, and the resilience of the manufacturing base. The key will be adapting to sustainable building practices and digital project management tools.

The Verdict: Is Little Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent cost of living. Your salary goes far, allowing for a high quality of life and homeownership.	Limited scale. The largest projects are regional (not national like in Dallas or Atlanta).
Stable, growing job market in healthcare, public works, and institutional sectors.	Car-dependent city. Public transit is limited; you need a reliable vehicle.
Strong professional network. The construction community is tight-knit and collaborative.	Summer humidity. The heat can be intense, affecting outdoor work and comfort.
No state license required for Construction Managers (unlike some states).	Fewer "high-rise" or ultra-luxury projects compared to major metros.
High quality of life with a vibrant food scene, major sports (Razorbacks), and outdoor access.	Political and social climate can be polarized, which may be a factor depending on your background.

Final Recommendation:
Little Rock is an outstanding choice for a construction manager who values work-life balance, affordability, and steady career growth. It's not the place for someone chasing the most glamorous, high-profile skyscraper projects, but it's perfect for a manager who wants to build a solid career, own a home, and enjoy a manageable, friendly city with genuine Southern hospitality. If you have experience in healthcare, public works, or institutional construction, you'll be in high demand. For a mid-career professional, this is one of the best value propositions in the country.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be licensed as a Construction Manager in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas does not have a state license specifically for Construction Managers. However, if you are bidding on and taking responsibility for a project as the lead contractor, you will need a General Contractor's license from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for projects over $50,000.

2. What are the biggest challenges for new construction managers in Little Rock?
The two biggest challenges are: 1) Adapting to the local subcontractor market, which is smaller than in major metros, requiring strong relationship-building. 2) Managing the summer heat, which can impact schedules and worker safety. Planning for weather delays is crucial.

3. How competitive is the job market for an outsider?
It's competitive but not closed-off. The local network is strong, but firms are hungry for talent with experience in complex projects (like healthcare). Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience, and be prepared to explain why you want to move to Little Rock. Having a connection through a national firm's local office can be a huge help.

4. What's the best way to network in the local construction scene?
Join the Associated General Contractors of Arkansas (AGC) and attend their events. The Little Rock Chamber of Commerce also has a construction committee. Informally, the coffee shops in the Hillcrest and River Market areas are where local professionals gather. A simple "I'm new to the area and in construction" will often open doors.

5. Is it worth getting a certification like the CCM?
Yes, especially if you aim for a senior or corporate role. While not required, the CCM or PMP sets you apart in the local market and can justify a higher salary. Given the long-term career outlook, the investment is wise, particularly if you plan to stay in the region for 5+ years.