Construction Manager in Sioux Falls, SD

Of course. Here is a comprehensive career guide for Construction Managers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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The Salary Picture: Where Sioux Falls Stands

As a Sioux Falls local, I can tell you the construction market here is active, but it’s not a boomtown like some coastal cities. It’s stable, which is a good thing. The numbers reflect this. The median salary for a Construction Manager here is $105,061/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.51/hour. That’s slightly under the national average of $108,210/year, but don’t let that fool you. When you factor in our low cost of living, your paycheck stretches much further here than it would in a major metro area.

Here’s how that salary breaks down by experience level. These are realistic estimates based on local market demand and project complexity.

Experience Level	Years in Field	Estimated Salary Range (Sioux Falls)
Entry-Level	0-4 years	$65,000 - $85,000
Mid-Career	5-9 years	$85,000 - $115,000
Senior	10-19 years	$115,000 - $140,000
Expert / Director	20+ years	$140,000+

When you compare Sioux Falls to other South Dakota cities, the picture becomes clearer. While Sioux Falls is the largest metro area, the job market for Construction Managers is surprisingly symmetrical with other hubs, though the type of work differs.

City	Median Salary (Est.)	Jobs in Metro (Est.)	Primary Project Types
Sioux Falls	$105,061	412	Healthcare, Commercial, Residential, Municipal
Rapid City	$102,500	180	Tourism/Hospitality, Government, Residential
Aberdeen	$98,000	65	Agricultural, Education, Healthcare
Brookings	$97,500	70	University Projects, Manufacturing, Residential

Sioux Falls has the highest volume of opportunity, with a diverse portfolio that includes major healthcare expansions, city infrastructure projects, and a steady residential market. The 10-year job growth for this field is projected at 8%, which is solid and indicates a stable, long-term demand for skilled managers.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the budget. A median salary of $105,061 sounds great, but you need to see what it looks like after the essentials. In South Dakota, we have a favorable tax situation: no state income tax and a moderate sales tax (6.0% in Sioux Falls). However, federal taxes still apply.

Here’s a conservative monthly breakdown for a single person earning the median salary. This assumes a 22% federal tax bracket, FICA taxes, and standard deductions. Note: This is an estimate; consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

• Gross Monthly Pay: $8,755
• Federal Taxes (Est.): -$1,480
• FICA (7.65%): -$670
• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$6,605/month

Now, let's layer on our local living costs. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sioux Falls is $884/month. This is significantly below the U.S. average, which is the core of our affordability advantage.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Median Salary):

• Net Take-Home: ~$6,605
• Rent (1BR APT): -$884
• Utilities (Est.): -$200
• Groceries & Household: -$500
• Transportation (Car Payment/Gas/Insurance): -$600
• Health Insurance (Employer Plan): -$300
• Discretionary/Entertainment: -$1,000
• Savings/Investments: +$3,121

This leaves a very healthy cushion for savings, retirement, or discretionary spending. One of the biggest questions is home affordability. The median home price in the Sioux Falls metro is around $310,000. With a 20% down payment ($62,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would have a monthly payment of roughly $1,650. Given the surplus in the budget above, buying a home is very attainable for a Construction Manager earning the median salary, often within the first few years on the job.

Where the Jobs Are: Sioux Falls's Major Employers

The Sioux Falls construction scene is driven by a few key sectors: healthcare, finance, and public works. You’re not going to find skyscrapers going up, but you will find a constant churn of multi-million dollar projects that require skilled management.

Here are the major players you need to be watching:

1. Sanford Health: A behemoth in the healthcare world, Sanford is the largest employer in the region. Their continuous expansion—from the massive Sanford USD Medical Center campus to new clinics in outlying towns like Tea and Harrisburg—creates a steady pipeline of complex, high-budget projects. They have a large in-house construction team and also hire top-tier general contractors.

2. Avera Health: The other major healthcare system, Avera, is headquartered in Sioux Falls. Their recent focus has been on building out their Avera on Louise campus, a massive project that redefined the southern part of the city. Like Sanford, they have significant internal development teams and are a major client for local GCs.

3. The City of Sioux Falls: The municipal government is constantly managing infrastructure projects. This includes road expansions (like the 41st Street and Marion Road projects), water treatment plant upgrades, and park developments. These jobs offer incredible stability and a fantastic benefits package. You can find openings on the city's official jobs portal.

4. L.G. Everist: A cornerstone of the local construction materials industry, this family-owned company is a major player in ready-mix concrete, asphalt, and sand & gravel. While they are a supplier, their scale means they have large-scale project management roles for overseeing their own operations and major earthwork contracts.

5. TSP Inc. (Architectural & Engineering): While primarily an architecture firm, TSP is the lead designer on a huge percentage of the region's major projects. Knowing the key project managers here is a good networking strategy. They often partner with local and national construction firms.

6. Hensel Phelps / Journey Group: These are two of the major national general contractors with a strong, permanent presence in Sioux Falls. They handle the largest and most complex projects, from hospitals to university buildings. They are the gold standard for resume experience in the area.

Insider Tip: The hiring trend is for managers who are comfortable with both healthcare (ICRA, infection control) and public works projects. Getting your OSHA 30-hour and learning the basics of healthcare construction standards will make your resume stand out immediately.

Getting Licensed in SD

Here’s a key point for outsiders: South Dakota does not have a state-level license specifically for "Construction Managers." The state regulates trades (electricians, plumbers, etc.) through the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, but construction management as a profession operates under a different model.

Instead, the primary credential is the Certified Construction Manager (CCM), administered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). While not legally required, it is the industry standard and is heavily preferred by top employers like Sanford, Avera, and the major GCs.

Path to Getting Licensed (CCM):

1. Education: A bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or architecture is typical. You can substitute experience (up to 8 years) for education.
2. Experience: You need a minimum of four years of construction management experience, with at least one year in a management role. This is verified through a detailed resume and professional references.
3. Exam: Pass the CCM exam, which is a rigorous, 4-hour test covering project management, cost management, time management, and safety.
4. Cost: The exam fee is $395 for CMAA members and $545 for non-members. Membership is $135/year. You may also need to invest in a study course, which can cost $300 - $800.
5. Timeline: If you already have the required experience, the process can take 3-6 months to study and sit for the exam. If you're starting your career, plan for a 4-5 year path to eligibility.

Insider Tip: Even if you don't pursue the CCM immediately, familiarize yourself with the Body of Knowledge. The core principles are what local employers, especially the large healthcare systems and GCs, use to assess project management competency.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Where you live in Sioux Falls will define your commute and lifestyle. Traffic is generally light, but the city is spread out. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown tailored for a working professional.

1. Northwest Sioux Falls (Near Empire Park): This is prime, established territory. It's close to the major hospitals (Sanford, Avera) and downtown, with a quick jump to I-29. The area features older, well-built homes, mature trees, and great schools. The commute to any major project site is usually under 15 minutes.

   • Vibe: Family-friendly, stable, convenient.
   • Rent Estimate: A 1BR apartment here might run you $950 - $1,100/month.

2. Southwest Sioux Falls (Tea & Harrisburg): The booming suburbs. These towns are seeing explosive growth, with new subdivisions, schools, and retail centers going up constantly. If you work on residential or municipal projects, you might be on-site here. The commute into Sioux Falls is straightforward but can be 20-25 minutes during peak times.

   • Vibe: New construction, community-focused, slightly longer commute.
   • Rent Estimate: Newer 1BR apartments are around $900 - $1,000/month.

3. Downtown Sioux Falls: The urban core has seen a massive revitalization. You’ll be in walking distance of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and the Pourscape & Sculpture Walk. Commutes to jobs on the east or north side might be 10-15 minutes. It's ideal if you want an active, walkable lifestyle and don't mind a smaller living space.

   • Vibe: Energetic, walkable, modern.
   • Rent Estimate: 1BR apartments range from $1,000 - $1,400/month.

4. East Sioux Falls (Near 57th & Minnesota): A great mix of accessibility and green space. It’s central, providing easy access to both the east side (where Avera’s main campus is) and the west side (Sanford). The area is near the Big Sioux River and has numerous parks and bike trails.

   • Vibe: Balanced, accessible, active.
   • Rent Estimate: 1BR apartments are typically $850 - $950/month.

Insider Tip: When interviewing, ask about the location of their major projects. If they do a lot of hospital work, being on the west side near Sanford is a huge plus. If they focus on city infrastructure or commercial, a more central or east-side location might be better.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Sioux Falls, career growth for a Construction Manager isn’t about climbing a corporate ladder at a Fortune 500 company. It’s about deepening your expertise and reputation in the local market. The 8% job growth over the next decade ensures there will be opportunities, but advancement comes from specialization and results.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare Construction (ICRA): Managers with proven experience in Infection Control Risk Assessment are highly sought after and can command a 10-15% salary premium. Every new hospital wing or clinic requires this.
• Public Works & Municipal: Understanding the bidding and compliance process for city and state projects (e.g., SDDOT) is a niche skill that makes you valuable to both public agencies and the GCs that serve them.
• LEED/Building Performance: As sustainability becomes a bigger focus, a LEED AP credential can open doors, especially on new school and commercial building projects.

Advancement Paths:
The typical path is from Project Engineer or Field Supervisor to Assistant PM, then to a full Project Manager. After that, you can move into a Senior Project Manager role, overseeing larger, more complex projects. The next step is often a leadership role like Project Executive or Director of Operations at a mid-to-large GC, or a Facilities/Real Estate Development Director for a major owner like Sanford or Avera.

10-Year Outlook:
The next decade in Sioux Falls looks solid. Key drivers include:

• Continued Healthcare Expansion: As the population ages, Sanford and Avera will keep building.
• Infrastructure Investment: The city has a long-term plan for road and utility upgrades.
• Residential Growth: The metro area is projected to continue growing, fueling demand for new housing.
• Industrial/Logistics: With the new Sioux Falls airport industrial park and the presence of companies like Amazon, new logistics and warehousing projects are emerging.

This means you have the opportunity to build a long, stable, and lucrative career without ever leaving the region.

The Verdict: Is Sioux Falls Right for You?

Sioux Falls isn't a flashy market, but it's a profoundly practical one. It offers a high quality of life, a low cost of living, and a stable job market for Construction Managers. It’s a place where you can buy a nice home, save for the future, and be home for dinner most nights.

Here’s the final breakdown:

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes much further than in coastal cities.	No State Income Tax (but lower base salaries): The salary is slightly below the national average.
Stable, Diverse Job Market: Not reliant on a single industry; healthcare, municipal, and residential are all strong.	Limited High-Rise/Complex Projects: You won't manage a 50-story skyscraper; projects are more common in the 1-10 story range.
Short Commutes: You can get across the city in 15-20 minutes, even in traffic.	Harsh Winters: Construction schedules are heavily influenced by the weather from November to March.
Excellent Work-Life Balance: The culture prioritizes family and personal time.	Smaller Networking Pool: The industry is tight-knit; your reputation is your most valuable asset.

Final Recommendation:
Sioux Falls is an excellent choice for Construction Managers who value stability, affordability, and work-life balance over chasing the biggest, most flashy projects. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home and start a family, as well as for seasoned experts who want to leverage their skills for a comfortable lifestyle. If you’re willing to adapt to the seasonal construction cycle and build a strong local reputation, you can build a very successful and rewarding career here.

FAQs

1. Do I need to know anyone to get a job in Sioux Falls?
While it’s a "who you know" town to an extent, the demand for qualified managers is real. Having a solid resume with verifiable project experience is the most important thing. Start applying to the major firms (Sanford, Avera, City of Sioux Falls, TSP, Hensel Phelps, Journey Group) and reach out to local recruiters who specialize in construction.

2. How does the winter weather affect the job?
It’s a major factor. Groundwork and exterior projects typically shut down from late November through March. However, interior work (like hospital fit-outs, commercial interiors) continues year-round. This leads to a natural "busy season" and "slow season." Many managers use the winter for planning, bidding, and project close-out.

3. Is a company vehicle standard?
For field-based Project Managers and Superintendents, a take-home vehicle or a generous vehicle allowance is very common, especially with larger general contractors. For more office-based roles, you'll typically get a standard mileage reimbursement for site visits.

4. What’s the best way to network here?
Join the local chapters of professional organizations like the CMAA, AGC (Associated General Contractors), or the AIA (American Institute of Architects). Attending their monthly luncheons or events is the best way to meet the key players in the local industry. Also, don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed coffee meeting.

5. Are there opportunities for remote or hybrid work?
This is a mix. The core of construction management—site supervision, inspections, client meetings—is inherently on-site. However, roles focused on pre-construction, estimating, and project administration are increasingly offering hybrid schedules. You’ll still need to be in Sioux Falls and be willing to go to the job site as needed.