The Complete Career Guide for Construction Managers in McKinney, TX

If you're a construction manager considering a move to McKinney, you're looking at a market that's growing steadily without the intense competition of a major metro. As a local, I've watched this city evolve from a quiet Collin County suburb into one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The construction boom here is real, but it's different from what you'd see in Dallas proper. It's more residential, more planned, and frankly, more manageable.

This guide cuts through the fluff and gives you the hard data and local insights you need to decide if McKinney is the right move for your career.

The Salary Picture: Where McKinney Stands

Let's start with the numbers. The median salary for Construction Managers in McKinney is $109,281/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.54/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $108,210/year, which is a good sign. It suggests that while we're not paying top-tier San Francisco wages, we're holding our own against the national market.

The real story is in the experience breakdown. McKinney's market rewards tenure and local experience. Here's a realistic look at what you can expect at different career stages:

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Key Factors in McKinney
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$75,000 - $92,000	Often starts with large residential builders (Lennar, Perry Homes). Expect to manage tract homes, not custom builds.
Mid-Career (4-9 years)	$95,000 - $125,000	This is the sweet spot. You can manage larger subdivisions or commercial retail projects.
Senior-Level (10-15 years)	$125,000 - $155,000	You're running multi-phase developments or commercial centers. Local knowledge of city codes is gold.
Expert/Executive (15+ years)	$155,000 - $190,000+	You're a Director of Construction or own a boutique firm. Specializing in healthcare or municipal projects pays a premium.

How does this stack up against other Texas cities? McKinney is competitive. It's not Austin, where you might see a 10-15% premium for tech-adjacent construction, but it's also not Midland, where oil volatility can swing salaries wildly. You're looking at a stable, balanced market.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $109,281 salary sounds great, but what does it mean for your monthly budget in McKinney? Let's break it down. Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant boost. After federal taxes, Medicare, and Social Security, your monthly take-home will be approximately $6,800 - $7,000 (this varies by deductions, but it's a solid estimate).

Now, consider rent. The average 1BR rent in McKinney is $1,291/month. Let's see what a typical monthly budget looks like for a construction manager earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Notes for a McKinney Resident
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$1,291	You can find this in most areas. A 2BR runs about $1,550.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Gas, Trash)	$200	Texas summers (AC!) and occasional winter freezes impact this.
Groceries & Household	$550	McKinney has a H-E-B and a Walmart, both affordable.
Car Payment/Insurance	$650	Almost a necessity. Public transport (McKinney Transit) is limited.
Gas & Maintenance	$250	You'll drive. A lot. Commutes to job sites are common.
Health Insurance (Employer Plan)	$350	Varies greatly, but this is a reasonable estimate.
Entertainment & Dining	$400	Plenty of local spots in Historic Downtown, but we're not a high-cost city.
Savings/Investments	$1,100	This is the key. You can live well and still save aggressively.
Miscellaneous & Debt	$700	Student loans, gym, etc.
Total	$5,491	Leaves a buffer of $1,309 - $1,509/month.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The Cost of Living Index is 103.3 (US avg = 100), meaning McKinney is slightly more expensive than the average U.S. city, but only by 3.3%. The median home price in McKinney is around $425,000 (as of 2023). With a 20% down payment ($85,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would be about $2,260/month. Property taxes are high (Collin County rates), adding roughly $700/month to that. So, total monthly housing cost would be around $2,960. With a take-home of $6,800, that's about 43% of your income—tight but doable, especially if you have a spouse's income or are willing to start with a smaller home in an older neighborhood. Insider Tip: Many managers buy in the eastern parts of McKinney (like Melissa or Princeton) for lower prices and still within a 20-minute commute.

Where the Jobs Are: McKinney's Major Employers

The job market for Construction Managers in the Metro area shows 427 jobs. This isn't a massive pool, but it's enough to be selective. The employers here are a mix of national giants and local power players. Here are the key names to know:

1. Lennar & Perry Homes: These are the 800-pound gorillas in residential construction. They are constantly building in master-planned communities like Craig Ranch and Trinity Falls. They hire frequently and offer structured career paths. Hiring is steady, but they expect you to hit the ground running with their specific systems.

2. Balfour Beatty Construction: A national firm with a significant office in Plano (15-minute commute). They handle large-scale commercial, healthcare, and federal projects. They have a strong pipeline of work in the Dallas North Tollway corridor. Hiring is cyclical, tied to public and corporate budgets.

3. CBRE/Project Management Firms: As the commercial market grows, so does the need for PMs. CBRE, JLL, and smaller local firms manage projects for corporate clients. The McKinney National Airport expansion and surrounding industrial park development are a key source of these jobs.

4. McKinney Independent School District (MISD) / City of McKinney: Public sector construction is stable. MISD regularly has bond-funded projects (schools, renovations). The City manages public works, parks, and infrastructure. These jobs offer excellent benefits and job security but are highly competitive. You'll need to navigate public bidding processes.

5. Local General Contractors (e.g., Rogers-O'Brien, Con-Real): These are the mid-sized firms that do a bit of everything—commercial, retail, medium-rise multifamily. They often win projects that national firms pass on. They value local relationships and knowledge of city hall processes. Hiring is often through word-of-mouth.

6. Healthcare & Specialized Contractors (e.g., McCarthy, HKS): The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital McKinney campus is a constant source of renovation and expansion work. These projects require healthcare construction expertise (infection control, specialized MEP). It's a lucrative niche.

Insider Tip: The best jobs often aren't posted publicly. The construction community here is tight-knit. Attend meetings of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce's Business and Economic Development Council. The connections you make there will uncover opportunities before they hit LinkedIn.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not have a statewide license for general construction management. Instead, licensure is project-type specific and regulated by different boards. This can be confusing, so here’s the breakdown.

• For Residential (1-4 Family Units): You must register as a Residential Building Contractor with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This requires proof of experience (typically 4+ years), a $200 application fee, a $10,000 surety bond, and passing a business and law exam. The total cost, including bond, is roughly $1,500-$2,000.
• For Commercial and Industrial Work: There is no state-level commercial license. However, you must be licensed by the City of McKinney to work within city limits. The city's Building Inspection Department requires a General Contractor License. You'll need to provide proof of insurance (general liability), a $5,000 surety bond, and pass a local exam that covers city codes, zoning, and the International Building Code (IBC). The application fee is $250.
• Additional Certifications: While not mandated, certifications from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) or the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) are highly respected and can boost your salary by 5-10%.

Timeline to Get Started: If you have all your experience documentation and are prepared to study, you can have your TDLR registration and City of McKinney license in hand within 3-4 months. The bottleneck is often the city's exam schedule, which is held quarterly.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Your commute to job sites is critical. Most residential work is east of Highway 75, while commercial work clusters along the Tollway. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Average 1BR Rent	Why It Works for CMs
Historic Downtown	Walkable, charming, older buildings. 10-15 mins to most job sites.	$1,350	Close to city hall and planning offices. Great for networking. Limited parking.
Craig Ranch	Master-planned, modern, family-oriented. 5-10 mins to new residential sites.	$1,450	You're living in the product you sell. High HOA fees, but amenities are top-tier.
East McKinney (near US-75)	Older, more affordable, diverse. 10-20 mins to commercial projects.	$1,150	Great value. Close to the airport and industrial parks where a lot of commercial work is happening.
West McKinney (near US-380)	Rapidly growing, new subdivisions, more rural feel. 15-25 mins to Dallas.	$1,250	Where the big residential builders are expanding. You'll live far from the city center, but you're at the source of the work.
Adriatica Village	Upscale, lakefront, very quiet. 15 mins to most sites.	$1,600	A premium choice. Best for senior managers who value peace and quiet after a chaotic job site day.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth projection for this metro area is 8%. This is solid, slightly above the national average for construction managers, reflecting the continued population influx into Collin County.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest salary jumps come from specialization. Healthcare construction can command a 15-20% premium over general residential work. Sustainable Building (LEED/WELL) expertise is in high demand for new corporate and municipal projects. Getting a LEED AP credential is a smart investment.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is to move from an assistant/superintendent role to a full Project Manager, then to a Senior PM or Project Executive. The next step is to become a Director of Construction for a larger firm or, for the entrepreneurial-minded, to start your own specialty subcontracting business (e.g., a drywall or framing company). The local market supports smaller, niche firms.
• 10-Year Outlook: The growth is expected to be steady, not explosive. The big wins will be in commercial redevelopment of older parts of the city and infrastructure to support the growing population (roads, utilities). The residential market will remain strong but may cool slightly if interest rates stay high. Your long-term security lies in diversifying beyond just residential.

The Verdict: Is McKinney Right for You?

Here’s a final, straightforward look at the pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Stable Market: Job growth is steady, not volatile.	Salary Ceiling: You won't find the top 10% of national salaries here.
Lower Cost of Living: A $109,281 salary goes much further than in Austin or Dallas.	Car Dependency: You will drive everywhere. Commutes to DFW can be long.
Growing Market: 427 jobs and 8% growth mean opportunity.	Limited "Prestige" Projects: Few skyscrapers or iconic architectural landmarks.
Balanced Lifestyle: Great schools, safe neighborhoods, historic charm.	Traffic on US-75: The main artery can be a bottleneck during rush hour.
Strong Local Network: Easier to build relationships than in a massive metro.	Limited Public Transit: Not ideal if you dislike driving.

Final Recommendation: McKinney is an excellent choice for a construction manager who values work-life balance, stable growth, and a reasonable cost of living. It's perfect for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home and raise a family without leaving the industry. It's less ideal for those seeking the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of a major city or those who prioritize walking to work and public transit. If you're hands-on, practical, and enjoy seeing tangible results in a community-focused setting, McKinney is a great place to build your career.

FAQs

Q: Is the demand for Construction Managers in McKinney primarily residential or commercial?
A: It's overwhelmingly residential right now. About 70% of the jobs are with tract and custom home builders. Commercial is growing, especially along the Highway 380 corridor and near the airport, but residential is the engine.

Q: How important is experience with specific software like Procore or PlanGrid?
A: It's becoming essential. Most mid-to-large firms (like Lennar or Balfour Beatty) use these platforms for project management, scheduling, and document control. If you're not proficient, get training before applying. It's often a screening filter.

Q: What's the typical work schedule for a Construction Manager in McKinney?
A: For residential, it's typically Monday-Saturday, 7 AM to 4 PM, with on-call duties for emergencies. Commercial can be more standard Monday-Friday, but deadlines often require weekend work. Be prepared for long hours during project close-outs.

Q: Do I need to know Spanish to be successful here?
A: It's not required, but it's a significant advantage. A large portion of the skilled labor force in North Texas is Spanish-speaking. Being able to communicate directly with crews can improve safety, efficiency, and relationships on site.

Q: How do property taxes impact my take-home pay?
A: Significantly. Collin County has some of the highest property tax rates in Texas (around 2.1-2.3% of assessed value). On a $400,000 home, that's $8,000 - $9,200 per year in property tax alone. This must be factored into your home-buying budget, as it can add $700-$800 to your monthly mortgage payment.