The Ultimate Career Guide for Construction Managers in Scranton, PA

Scranton isn’t the first city that springs to mind when you think of major construction hubs like Phoenix or Austin. But for the savvy Construction Manager looking for a market with stability, a reasonable cost of living, and a surprising volume of steady work, the Electric City is a hidden gem. This guide cuts through the fluff with data-driven analysis and local insights to help you decide if a career move to Lackawanna County makes sense for you.

I’ve lived in Northeastern Pennsylvania for years. I’ve watched the old coal mines give way to new distribution centers, seen the historic warehouses in South Scranton converted into lofts, and navigated the traffic on the I-81/I-476 interchange more times than I can count. I know the local players, the zoning quirks, and which contractors are known for quality versus those who cut corners. Let’s dive in.

The Salary Picture: Where Scranton Stands

Let’s get right to the numbers. The salary for a Construction Manager in Scranton is a point of interest because it sits at a fascinating crossroads. It’s not as high as major metros, but the cost of living makes it go much further.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for Construction Managers in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton metropolitan area is $105,937 per year. The hourly rate is $50.93. For context, the national average salary for Construction Managers is $108,210 per year. This means Scranton pays only about 2% less than the national average, which is an exceptionally strong position when you factor in the local cost of living.

Experience-Level Breakdown

While the median is a useful benchmark, your actual earnings will vary significantly based on your experience level, project type, and the specific employer. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Scranton market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Expected Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level / Assistant PM	0-3 years	$65,000 - $80,000	Submittals, RFI management, daily logs, assisting with scheduling.
Mid-Level / Project Manager	4-9 years	$85,000 - $115,000	Overseeing all project phases, client relations, budget management, subcontractor coordination.
Senior Construction Manager	10-15 years	$115,000 - $140,000	Managing multiple projects or a large-scale single project, strategic planning, high-stakes client negotiations.
Expert / Director Level	15+ years	$140,000+	Executive leadership, business development, regional operations management.

Comparing to Other Pennsylvania Cities

Scranton’s salary holds up well against other PA cities, especially when paired with its lower cost of living.

City	Median Salary (Annual)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Purchasing Power
Scranton	$105,937	93.0	High
Philadelphia	$119,000 (est.)	103.5	Moderate
Pittsburgh	$112,500 (est.)	97.0	Moderate
Allentown	$108,000 (est.)	95.0	Moderate
Harrisburg	$102,000 (est.)	94.5	High

Scranton offers a "sweet spot." You earn nearly double the national median for all occupations, but your housing and daily expenses are significantly below the national average.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A six-figure salary is meaningless if it’s swallowed by a high cost of living. Let’s run the numbers for a single Construction Manager earning the median salary of $105,937 in Scranton.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $105,937
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~28% (PA has a flat 3.07% income tax)
• Take-Home Pay (Monthly): ~$6,200
• Average 1BR Rent: $854/month (as per your data)

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Housing (1BR Rent): $854 (14% of take-home pay)
• Utilities & Internet: $200
• Groceries & Household: $500
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $500 (Scranton is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (employer plan): $300 (estimated)
• Retirement Savings (10%): $620
• Discretionary Spending: $3,226

This is an exceptionally healthy budget. The key is housing. At $854/month for a 1BR, you’re spending only about 14% of your net income on rent. This is well below the recommended 30% threshold, freeing up substantial cash for savings, investments, or a mortgage.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Scranton County is roughly $165,000-$190,000. With a 20% down payment ($33,000-$38,000) and a mortgage at current rates, your monthly housing payment (PITI) would likely be in the $1,100-$1,300 range. Even with that increase, your housing cost would only be ~20% of your take-home pay. This is the primary financial advantage of Scranton: it’s a place where a professional salary translates directly into home ownership and wealth building.

Where the Jobs Are: Scranton's Major Employers

The Scranton metro isn't dominated by one industry, which provides resilience. The job market for Construction Managers is spread across several key sectors. Here are the major employers you should target, with insider insights on their hiring.

1. Merrill Creek Associates / The Wegmans Group: A major developer with land holdings across Northeastern PA. They are consistently involved in commercial, retail, and mixed-use projects. They value managers with experience in large-scale site development and retail fit-outs. Insider Tip: They prefer to promote from within their field staff. Starting as a Superintendent with them can be a fast track to a CM role.

2. Borton-Lawson Construction: A regional powerhouse with a major presence in Wilkes-Barre (a 20-minute drive from Scranton). They specialize in industrial, healthcare, and institutional projects. They are known for strong safety cultures and complex MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) coordination. Hiring is steady but competitive; they often pull from the local trade schools like Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

3. The University of Scranton / Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine: Both institutions have ongoing capital improvement projects. This means steady, predictable work for CMs who understand the unique challenges of working in an occupied educational or medical environment—think strict noise restrictions, infection control, and complex phasing. These jobs require patience and excellent communication.

4. Lackawanna County Government & Redevelopment Authority: Public projects are the bedrock of the local economy. From courthouse renovations to infrastructure upgrades and park developments, these contracts provide long-term, stable work. The pay is often slightly lower than private sector, but the benefits and job security are outstanding. You must be comfortable with public bidding processes and strict compliance.

5. Medical Facilities (Geisinger, Moses Taylor Hospital, Regional Hospital of Scranton): Healthcare construction is booming. With aging infrastructure and the need for modern outpatient centers, these are frequent clients. Managers with CM-GC (Construction Manager at Risk) experience on healthcare projects are in high demand here.

6. Logistics & Distribution Centers: Scranton’s location on I-81 makes it a logistics hub. Companies like Chewy and Amazon have large facilities in the region. This means a constant need for CMs to manage new build-outs, expansion projects, and ongoing maintenance/retrofit work. The pace is fast, and schedules are non-negotiable.

Hiring Trend: The market is steady, with a noticeable uptick in projects related to healthcare, higher education, and logistics. The 10-year job growth for the metro is 8%, which is solid and indicates sustained demand. There’s less "boom and bust" here than in larger markets, which can be a positive for stability.

Getting Licensed in PA

Pennsylvania’s licensing is handled by the Pennsylvania Licensing Board for Contractors (PLB). It’s important to know that PA does not have a state-level license specifically for Construction Managers. Instead, CMs typically operate under a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration or a Contractor’s License if they are doing the work themselves.

However, the credential of choice for top-tier CMs is the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). While not state-mandated, it is highly respected by employers, especially on public and institutional projects.

Requirements & Process:

1. Education & Experience: You need a combination of a bachelor’s degree in construction management or a related field (or equivalent experience). The CCM requires at least 48 months of construction management experience.
2. Exam: Pass the CCM certification exam. This is a rigorous, 4-hour test covering project planning, cost management, time management, and contract administration.
3. Cost: The CCM exam fee is $1,500 for CMAA members and $1,850 for non-members. Annual renewal is around $200.
4. Timeline: If you have the experience, you can prepare and take the exam within 6-9 months. The process of documenting your experience for the application can take an additional 2-3 months.

Insider Tip: For state-registered work (like a Home Improvement Contractor), the process is simpler. You need to show proof of financial responsibility, pass a business and law exam (cost: ~$200), and pay an annual fee. This is often the first step for independent CMs starting their own firm.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Living in Scranton is about balancing your commute to job sites with your lifestyle. Most work will be in the city, the suburbs (like Clarks Summit), or in nearby industrial parks along the I-81 corridor.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Why It's a Good Fit
Downtown Scranton	Walkable, historic, restaurant/bar scene. Commute to site offices is 5-15 mins.	$900 - $1,200	For those who want an urban lifestyle without the big-city price tag. Easy to meet people.
Green Ridge	Quiet, residential, single-family homes dominant. 10-20 min commute.	$950 - $1,100	Ideal for CMs with families or those who want a quiet home base after a hectic day on site.
Clarks Summit	Upscale suburb, top-rated schools, very safe. 15-25 min commute to Scranton.	$1,000 - $1,300	The premier choice for senior managers prioritizing family and quality of life.
South Scranton	More affordable, undergoing revitalization. Closer to some industrial corridors.	$750 - $950	A budget-friendly option for early-career CMs looking to save aggressively.
Dunmore	Tight-knit, community-focused. Home to Penn State Scranton. 10-15 min commute.	$800 - $1,000	A great middle-ground—quieter than downtown but close to everything.

Personal Insight: If you’re new to the area, I recommend renting in Downtown Scranton or Dunmore for the first 6-12 months. This gives you time to learn the geography of the job sites and decide if you prefer a walkable urban setting or a quieter suburban life before buying a home.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Scranton is not a market for high-flying, mega-project specialists (like a $500M skyscraper). It’s a market for versatile, well-rounded managers who can handle a mix of commercial, institutional, and light industrial work.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare/Institutional: Adds a 5-10% premium due to regulatory complexity. This is the most lucrative and in-demand specialty in the Scranton area.
• MEP Coordination: Managers who can truly understand and coordinate complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems across trades are worth their weight in gold.
• Public/Bond-Funded Projects: While the base salary might be similar, the benefits (pension, stability) are a significant long-term financial premium.

Advancement Paths:
The typical path is Assistant PM → Project Manager → Senior CM → Operations/Regional Manager. Another common path is to move from a large GC (like Borton-Lawson) to a developer (like Merrill Creek) or to start your own small boutique CM firm. The network in Scranton is small enough that reputation is everything. A single poorly managed project can close doors; consistently delivering high-quality work will make you a sought-after professional.

10-Year Outlook (8% Growth): The 8% job growth is supported by several factors:

1. Aging Infrastructure: Schools, municipal buildings, and healthcare facilities built in the 60s-80s are due for major renovations and upgrades.
2. Population Stabilization: After decades of decline, the Scranton metro’s population is holding steady, which supports continued commercial and residential development.
3. Logistics Hub Growth: Scranton’s strategic location will continue to attract distribution and light manufacturing, requiring new builds and retrofits.

The risk is a slowdown in national construction, but Scranton’s diversified economy makes it relatively insulated from severe downturns.

The Verdict: Is Scranton Right for You?

This is a market for realists. It’s not for someone chasing the glamour of coastal cities or the explosive growth of Sun Belt metros. It’s for a CM who values stability, affordability, and a high quality of life.

Pros	Cons
Excellent Purchasing Power: Salary goes very far. Home ownership is highly attainable.	Limited "Prestige" Projects: Few opportunities to work on iconic, headline-grabbing buildings.
Stable, Diverse Job Market: Less volatility than boom/bust markets.	Slower Pace of Innovation: Technology adoption (like advanced BIM/VDC) can be slower at smaller local firms.
Manageable Commutes: You can live and work in the same community without epic traffic.	Winters Can Be Harsh: Snow and cold can impact project schedules from Nov-March.
Strong Professional Network: The construction community is tight-knit and collaborative.	Limited Nightlife/Cultural Scene: Compared to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, options are more limited.
Outdoor Access: Excellent hiking, skiing, and fishing in the surrounding Pocono Mountains.	Young Professional Drain: Some recent graduates leave for larger cities, but this is changing.

Final Recommendation:
Scranton is an excellent choice for mid-career Construction Managers (5-15 years of experience) looking to buy a home, raise a family, and enjoy a stable career without the financial stress of a major metro. It’s also a great market for early-career CMs to get broad, hands-on experience across multiple project types. If you’re looking for the highest possible salary and the most complex, cutting-edge projects, you’re better off in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. But if you want to be a big fish in a thriving, manageable pond where your income translates into a comfortable lifestyle, Scranton deserves a serious look.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car in Scranton?
A: Yes, absolutely. Public transportation exists but is not robust enough for commuting to most job sites. A reliable vehicle is a non-negotiable requirement for this job in this region.

Q: What is the winter work situation like?
A: Construction slows down but doesn’t stop. Indoor projects (fit-outs, renovations) continue year-round. Site work and concrete pours may be delayed by extreme cold or snow, but good project managers plan for this. It’s a part of the rhythm of the job here.

Q: How do I break into the local network?
A: Join the local chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) or the Associated General Contractors (AGC). Attend their monthly meetings. The network is small; showing your face and being a reliable professional is key. Also, LinkedIn is very active with local professionals.

Q: Is Scranton a good place for a single person?
A: It can be, but it requires effort. The social scene is more about community events, local sports, and outdoor groups than a bustling bar scene. It’s easier to meet people through work, hobbies, or alumni groups than in a large city. If you’re highly social and crave constant novelty, it might feel limiting.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake new CMs make when moving to Scranton?
A: Underestimating the importance of local relationships and code knowledge. The local building codes and zoning quirks can be specific. Relying solely on your national experience without learning the local regulations can lead to costly delays. Network with the local code officials and building inspectors early on—they are a resource, not an adversary.