A Construction Manager's Guide to Long Beach, CA

Long Beach isn't just a beach town; it's a massive port city with a complex, ever-evolving built environment. If you're a construction manager (CM) considering a move here, you're looking at a market defined by its unique blend of maritime industry, dense urban infill, historic preservation, and coastal resilience projects. The work is challenging, the stakes are high, and the pay reflects it. This guide cuts through the promotional fluff to give you a data-driven, on-the-ground look at what it really means to build a career in Long Beach.

As a local, I can tell you that the city operates on two distinct rhythms: the relentless, 24/7 pace of the Port of Long Beach and the slower, more deliberate pace of neighborhood development. You need to understand both to thrive here.

The Salary Picture: Where Long Beach Stands

Construction Managers in Long Beach command significant compensation, but it's crucial to see the data in context. The local market pays a premium over the national average, but it also competes with the high-cost hubs of Los Angeles and Orange County.

Median Salary: $113,241/year
Hourly Rate: $54.44/hour
National Average: $108,210/year
Jobs in Metro: 898
10-Year Job Growth: 8%

This 8% growth is solid, driven by sustained infrastructure spending, port modernization, and a perpetual need for housing and commercial space. The 898 job openings indicate a robust, active market where experienced CMs are in demand.

Experience-Level Breakdown

While the median is a good benchmark, your specific earnings will hinge on your experience, portfolio, and ability to handle Long Beach's unique project types (e.g., seismic retrofits, coastal construction).

Experience Level	Typical Time in Field	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities in Long Beach
Entry-Level	0-4 years	$75,000 - $90,000	Assistant PM, field coordination, submittal review, budget tracking under supervision.
Mid-Level	5-10 years	$95,000 - $125,000	Managing entire small-to-mid-size projects ($1M-$25M), direct client contact, safety compliance.
Senior-Level	10-20 years	$125,000 - $165,000	Large-scale project oversight ($50M+), complex logistics (Port-related), team management, advanced risk mitigation.
Expert/Specialist	20+ years	$165,000+	Executive-level roles, firm leadership, specialized in high-risk sectors (marine, seismic, sustainable builds), business development.

Note: These ranges are estimates based on local market data and conversation with industry professionals. Specialization in public works or marine construction can push these numbers higher.

Comparison to Other CA Cities

Long Beach's salaries are competitive but don't always match the top-tier metros. It's a "value" play: excellent pay with a slightly more manageable cost of living than San Francisco or the affluent parts of LA.

City	Median CM Salary (Est.)	Cost of Living (vs. US Avg)	Key Industry Drivers
Long Beach	$113,241	115.5	Port of LB, healthcare, education, urban infill
Los Angeles	$120,000	176.3	Entertainment, tech, massive urban market
San Francisco	$145,000	269.3	Tech, high-rise, historic preservation
San Diego	$115,000	160.1	Biotech, military, residential
Sacramento	$105,000	114.7	Government, state capital projects

Long Beach offers a compelling balance: you get a salary that's strong for California, with a cost of living that, while high, is less punishing than its immediate neighbors. The $113,241 median is your anchor point.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A six-figure salary in California can feel different after the state's progressive tax structure and the region's housing costs. Let's break down a realistic monthly budget for a Construction Manager earning the median salary of $113,241.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Income: $113,241
• Filing Status: Single (no dependents)
• Estimated Effective Tax Rate (Federal + CA State + FICA): ~28%
• Average 1BR Rent in Long Beach: $2,006/month (as per your data)
• Retirement Savings: 8% (401k)
• Health Insurance: Employer-subsidized, employee portion $200/month

Monthly Budget Breakdown

Category	Amount	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$9,437
Taxes & Deductions	-$2,642	(Est. 28% effective rate)
Net Take-Home Pay	$6,795
Retirement (8%)	-$755	Pre-tax
Health Insurance	-$200	Post-tax
Adjusted Net Income	$5,840	Available for living expenses
Rent (1BR Average)	-$2,006
Utilities & Internet	-$180
Groceries & Household	-$500
Transportation	-$350	Car payment/insurance, gas, or transit pass
Dining & Entertainment	-$400
Miscellaneous / Savings	-$1,404
Remaining	$0

Insider Tip: Your biggest variable is rent. The $2,006 is an average. A 1BR in Downtown Long Beach can be $2,400+, while one in Bixby Knolls might be $1,800. Your commute will dictate this.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

This is the critical question. The median home price in Long Beach is approximately $750,000. Using standard 20% down payment and a 7% interest rate:

• Down Payment Needed: $150,000
• Loan Amount: $600,000
• Estimated Monthly Mortgage (Principle & Interest): ~$4,000
• Property Taxes & Insurance: ~$1,000
• Total Housing Payment: $5,000/month

Verdict: On a $113,241 salary, a $5,000/month mortgage is not affordable without significant debt (DTI > 50%). It would consume most of your net income. A dual-income household (e.g., two CMs, or a CM and a partner in a different field) makes homeownership far more feasible. Single CMs typically rent, especially early in their careers, or buy smaller condos/townhomes in the $400,000-$550,000 range.

Where the Jobs Are: Long Beach's Major Employers

The job market for CMs in Long Beach is anchored by a few key sectors. Knowing who's at the table is half the battle.

1. The Port of Long Beach: The city's economic engine. Major construction is constant: terminal expansions, rail upgrades, the Middle Harbor Redevelopment, and massive environmental mitigation projects. Employers include SSA Marine, Total Terminals International (TTI), and the Port of Long Beach itself (as a public agency). Hiring is tied to global trade cycles and federal infrastructure grants.
2. Healthcare: Long Beach is a major medical hub. MemorialCare Health System (including Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital) and St. Mary Medical Center (part of Dignity Health) are constantly expanding and renovating. These are complex, 24/7 operational environments, requiring CMs with hospital construction experience.
3. Education: California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has a massive, ongoing capital improvement program. Long Beach Unified School District is one of the largest in the state, with regular bond-funded modernization and new construction (seismic safety, tech upgrades). Union (State) Prevailing Wage work is common here.
4. Major General Contractors: Local and national firms have significant Long Beach operations. Key names include Swinerton, DPR Construction, Hensel Phelps, Clark Construction, and PCL Construction. These firms handle everything from corporate interiors to large-scale public works. They are the primary employers for most CMs.
5. Aerospace & Defense: While more concentrated in nearby areas, Boeing and various defense contractors have facilities and related support projects in the region, requiring specialized CMs familiar with stringent security and compliance protocols.
6. Private Development Firms: Companies like The Ratkovich Company (focused on adaptive reuse) and The Long Beach Gateway Developers (involved in major downtown projects) hire CMs for their own portfolios or as owner's representatives.

Hiring Trends: There's a push towards sustainable construction (LEED, CALGreen) and resilient design (flood mitigation, seismic retrofitting). Port-related projects often require a Security Risk Assessment (SRA) for personnel. Public works jobs are plentiful and stable, but the bidding process is competitive.

Getting Licensed in CA

California has specific requirements that you must meet before you can legally manage construction projects independently.

The primary credential is the California Contractor's License (Class B - General Building Contractor) for those who own their firm. However, most CMs are employees. For employees, the key is demonstrating experience and, for certain projects, holding a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential or specific trade licenses.

Key Requirements & Process:

1. Experience: The CA Contractors State License Board (CSLB) requires 4 years of journeyman-level experience (or equivalent) within the last 10 years to sit for the exam and obtain a license. For CMs, this means documented experience managing projects, not just working on them.
2. The Exam: Two exams are required: Law & Business and Trade (for your specific classification). Study materials are available through the CSLB and private providers. The exams are notoriously detailed on California-specific codes, labor laws, and business practices.
3. Bond & Insurance: To get the license, you need a $25,000 surety bond. You must also carry general liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence is standard).
4. Costs:
   • CSLB Application Fee: ~$450
   • Exam Fees (each): ~$100
   • Surety Bond (annual premium): ~$250 - $1,000+ (based on credit)
   • Insurance (annual): $3,000 - $10,000+ (varies by project size)
   • Total Initial Cost to License: $5,000 - $15,000 (excluding insurance premiums).

Timeline: From application to holding your license can take 4-8 months. It's a significant investment of time and money, but it's essential for career advancement into ownership or senior leadership roles. For employee CMs, focus on the CCM from the CMAA (Construction Management Association of America), which is highly respected and can be obtained with less bureaucratic hassle.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Your neighborhood choice is a trade-off between commute time, lifestyle, and budget. Long Beach is a city of distinct villages.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Lifestyle	Avg. 1BR Rent	Commute to Key Hubs
Bixby Knolls / Los Cerritos	Upscale, suburban, family-friendly, great schools. Quiet after work.	$1,700 - $2,000	20-30 min to Port/Downtown. Close to 405/605.
Downtown / East Village	Urban, walkable, vibrant nightlife, older historic buildings.	$2,200 - $2,600	5-15 min commute. Excellent transit access (Blue Line).
Alamitos Beach / Belmont Shore	Coastal, active, beach lifestyle, younger demographic.	$2,100 - $2,500	15-25 min commute. Parking can be a nightmare.
Rose Park / Wrigley	Historic, charming, eclectic, mid-century homes. Good value.	$1,800 - $2,100	15-25 min commute. Close to the 710 freeway.
Signal Hill	Hilltop enclave, stunning views, quiet, with its own police force.	$1,900 - $2,300	5-15 min commute. Surrounded by Long Beach on all sides.

Insider Tip: If you work at the Port, living north of the 405 (e.g., Bixby Knolls) provides a against-traffic commute. If you work in Downtown, living in the Downtown/East Village area eliminates the commute entirely, which is a huge quality-of-life win. Parking in Downtown and Shoreline areas is a serious consideration if you own a work truck.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A Construction Manager career in Long Beach isn't static. Growth comes from specialization and networking.

• Specialty Premiums: CMs with expertise in Marine Construction, Seismic Retrofitting (CA's #1 concern), or Healthcare/Sensitive Occupancy projects can command 10-20% premiums over the base median. Public works (prevailing wage) also tends to pay well with strong benefits.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Project Engineer -> Assistant PM -> PM -> Senior PM: The standard corporate ladder.
  2. Field Superintendent -> Regional Superintendent -> Director of Operations: For those who prefer field to office.
  3. Owner's Representative: Move from the GC side to the client side, managing the budget and schedule for a developer or public agency. Often requires more financial acumen.
  4. Entrepreneur: Get your Class B license, start your own small firm focusing on a niche (e.g., kitchen/bath remodels, tenant improvements). The market is ripe for reliable, smaller-scale contractors.
• 10-Year Outlook (8% Growth): The growth is steady, not explosive. Future opportunities will be in green building, modular/prefabricated construction (to combat high labor costs), and resilience engineering. The Port's long-term plan is decades long, providing a stable pipeline. The key will be adapting to new technologies (BIM, drone surveying) and sustainable practices.

The Verdict: Is Long Beach Right for You?

Long Beach offers a unique, demanding, and rewarding career path for Construction Managers. It's not for everyone, but for the right professional, it's an excellent choice.

Pros	Cons
Strong Pay: Median salary of $113,241 is competitive.	High Cost of Living: Rent and home prices are steep.
Diverse Project Portfolio: Never boring—port, historic, high-rise, healthcare.	Competitive Market: You're often competing with talent from LA and OC.
Robust Job Market: 8% growth and 898 jobs indicate stability.	Bureaucratic Hurdles: CA regulations, local permitting can be slow.
Unique Lifestyle: Beach access, diverse culture, vibrant downtown.	Traffic & Logistics: Freeways are congested; port traffic is a major factor.
Networking Hub: Proximity to LA and OC expands professional reach.	Soaring Housing Costs: Homeownership is a high barrier for singles.

Final Recommendation:
Long Beach is an excellent choice for Construction Managers who:

• Are mid-career professionals seeking to build a significant portfolio of complex projects.
• Value a mix of urban and coastal lifestyle.
• Have a dual-income household or are willing to rent long-term.
• Are interested in public works, infrastructure, or sustainable development.

It is a challenging choice for:

• Those seeking an easy, low-regulation environment.
• Early-career professionals on a tight budget (rent is a heavy burden).
• Anyone who dislikes traffic or complex logistical challenges.

For the prepared, skilled, and adaptable CM, Long Beach is a place where you can build not just projects, but a long and prosperous career.

FAQs

Q: I'm not a CA native. Will I be at a disadvantage in the job market?
A: Not necessarily. Your experience is what matters most. However, familiarity with local codes (especially seismic and coastal), the planning approval process with the City of Long Beach, and the competitive landscape of public works will be a huge asset. Be prepared to learn these quickly.

Q: Is it worth getting the California Contractor's License if I'm an employee?
A: It's a golden ticket for career mobility. It allows you to work