Here is a comprehensive career guide for Construction Managers considering a move to Warwick, Rhode Island.

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Construction Manager Career Guide: Warwick, Rhode Island

As a career analyst who’s spent years studying the Rhode Island job market, I’ve watched Warwick evolve from a quiet suburb into a construction hotspot. If you’re a Construction Manager eyeing the Ocean State, Warwick offers a unique blend of urban-suburban living, a robust job market, and a strategic location in the heart of New England. This guide breaks down the realities of the role here—from your paycheck to your career path—using hard data and local insights.

The Salary Picture: Where Warwick Stands

Warwick’s construction market is active, driven by a mix of residential development, commercial renovations, and infrastructure projects tied to T.F. Green Airport and the city’s aging building stock. Salaries here are competitive, often edging above the national average due to a high demand for experienced managers who can navigate local regulations and labor markets.

• Median Salary: $108,502/year
• Hourly Rate: $52.16/hour
• National Average: $108,210/year
• Jobs in Metro: 165
• 10-Year Job Growth: 8%

While the median salary sits just above the national average, the real story is in the experience levels. Warwick’s market rewards those with local experience and established networks.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Warwick, RI)	Key Considerations
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$75,000 - $90,000	Often starts as an Assistant PM or Field Engineer. Focus is on learning local codes (RI State Building Code) and building relationships with subcontractors.
Mid-Level (4-8 years)	$95,000 - $120,000	Manages projects independently. High demand for those with experience in commercial tenant fit-outs and multi-family residential.
Senior-Level (9-15+ years)	$120,000 - $150,000+	Oversees multiple projects or entire divisions. Often requires a PE license or extensive portfolio with local clients like hospitals or schools.
Expert/Executive	$150,000 - $185,000+	Director-level roles, often with large firms or developers. Compensation heavily tied to project profitability and business development.

Comparison to Other RI Cities

Warwick’s salary is strong but sits in the middle of the pack for Rhode Island. Providence, as the state capital and largest city, often commands a slight premium (median around $112,000) due to a higher concentration of large-scale commercial and institutional projects. Conversely, smaller markets like Woonsocket or Pawtucket may offer lower salaries but with a lower cost of living. Warwick’s advantage is its balance: big-city job opportunities without the intense traffic and parking headaches of downtown Providence.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $108,502 salary looks solid on paper, but the real test is your monthly budget. Warwick’s cost of living is just slightly above the national average (100.9 vs. 100), but housing is the primary driver. Let’s break down the math for a single person with no dependents, using a standard 22% federal tax bracket, 5.99% RI state tax, and 7.65% for FICA (Social Security & Medicare).

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Construction Manager (Median Salary)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$9,042	($108,502 / 12)
Estimated Taxes (35.64%)	- $3,223	Federal, State, FICA. Actual will vary with deductions.
Net Take-Home Pay	$5,819	This is your starting point.
Average 1BR Rent	- $1,362	Statewide average. In Warwick, it can range from $1,250 to $1,600.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	- $200	RI has high energy costs; budget for New England winters.
Groceries	- $400	Competitive with national averages.
Car Payment/Insurance	- $500	Warwick is car-dependent. Insurance is high in RI.
Health Insurance (Employer Share)	- $150	Typically a portion is covered.
Retirement Savings (401k, 5%)	- $452	Crucial for long-term growth.
Discretionary Spending	$1,755	Covers dining out, entertainment, savings, etc.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but with caveats. The median home price in Warwick is approximately $350,000. With a 20% down payment ($70,000), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely exceed $2,000. On a $5,819 net income, that’s over 34% of take-home pay—above the recommended 28-30% threshold. However, many managers in the 8-10 year range (earning closer to $120,000+) can comfortably afford a home here, especially if they have a dual-income household. Starter homes in neighborhoods like Greenbush or Warwick Mills are more attainable.

Insider Tip: Don’t underestimate RI’s property taxes. In Warwick, they can be 1.5-1.8% of the assessed value, adding ~$500/month to your housing costs. Always factor this in when budgeting.

Where the Jobs Are: Warwick's Major Employers

Warwick’s construction scene is powered by a mix of local family-owned firms, regional developers, and large institutional clients. The presence of T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is a major economic engine, fueling continuous expansion and retrofit projects.

1. Gilbane Building Company: A national firm with a major Rhode Island office. They are consistently involved in high-profile projects, including healthcare (Kent Hospital in nearby Warwick) and higher education. They hire for PMs with strong commercial and healthcare experience.
2. Dimeo Construction Company: Another regional powerhouse based in Providence but with a significant footprint in Warwick and the airport corridor. They specialize in commercial, retail, and industrial projects. Hiring trends favor PMs with LEED AP certification.
3. The Procaccianti Group: A major hotel development and management company headquartered in Warwick. They are constantly renovating and building their portfolio of hotels. This is a key employer for PMs with hospitality construction experience.
4. City of Warwick - Public Works Department: For those interested in public sector work, the city manages its own capital improvement projects, from school renovations to road and sewer work. Jobs are posted on the city’s website and offer strong benefits and job security.
5. Kent County Memorial Hospital (Part of Care New England): While in nearby West Warwick, this is a major regional healthcare provider that has ongoing renovation and expansion projects. Healthcare construction is a high-growth, recession-resistant specialty.
6. Local Residential Developers: Firms like Garden Homes and R.J. DeLuca are active in the multi-family and single-family home market. Hiring is often cyclical but can be a great entry point for residential PMs.
7. T.F. Green Airport (PVD) Authority: The airport authority itself manages a multimillion-dollar capital improvement plan. Contractor positions are often posted directly or through prime contractors like Gilbane or Dimeo.

Hiring Trends: There’s a strong push toward sustainable construction (LEED, Passive House) and adaptive reuse projects. PMs with experience in retrofitting older buildings (common in Warwick’s post-war housing stock) are highly valued.

Getting Licensed in RI

Rhode Island does not require a state-specific license to be a Construction Manager, unlike general contractors. However, the professional standard is to obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license or a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential to command higher salaries and manage larger projects.

• Professional Engineer (PE) License: Issued by the RI Department of Labor and Training - Division of Professional Regulation. Requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, 4 years of progressive experience under a PE, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
  • Costs: FE Exam ($225), PE Exam ($375), application fees (~$150). Total ~$750.
  • Timeline: 4-5 years from start to license.
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Administered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). Requires a bachelor’s degree and 4 years of relevant experience, or no degree with 8 years of experience. You must also pass the CCM exam.
  • Costs: Membership, exam fee, study materials (~$1,500 total).
  • Timeline: Can be achieved in 4+ years.

Insider Tip: Even without a PE, getting your OSHA 30-Hour Construction card is non-negotiable. Many Warwick employers require it. It’s a quick, affordable certification that shows you prioritize safety.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Your lifestyle and commute matter. Warwick is divided by I-95 and Route 2, creating distinct zones.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's a Fit
Greenbush / West Warwick Border	Residential, family-friendly. 15-20 min to Providence, 20 min to most job sites.	$1,300 - $1,500	Close to I-95 for easy access to job sites across the region. More affordable housing stock. Ideal for managers with families.
Warwick Mills (Airport Corridor)	Industrial, commercial, near PVD. 10-15 min commute.	$1,400 - $1,600	Perfect for those working directly on airport projects or for firms like Procaccianti. More urban, less residential.
Apponaug / Greenwich Cove	Historic village center, waterfront access. 15-25 min commute.	$1,500 - $1,800	Charming, walkable area with a mix of older homes and new condos. Best for a lifestyle-oriented professional.
Coventry (Western Edge)	Suburban, wooded, quieter. 25-35 min commute to city center.	$1,200 - $1,400	A budget-friendly option with more space. Commute can be slow on Route 2. Good for those who value nature over nightlife.
Idylwood / Greenwood	Classic suburban, near Narragansett Bay. 20-30 min commute.	$1,350 - $1,650	Solid mid-range option with good schools and parks. Central location with reasonable access to both Providence and the southern coast.

Personal Insight: If your job is at or near T.F. Green, living in Warwick Mills or Greenbush cuts your commute dramatically. In RI, where winter weather can halt traffic on I-95, a shorter commute is a major quality-of-life win.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With 10-year job growth at 8%, Warwick’s market is stable but not explosive. To maximize your earnings, you need to specialize.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Healthcare/Institutional: +10-15% over general commercial. High demand at Kent Hospital and local clinics.
  • High-End Residential/Renovation: +5-10%. Wealthy coastal towns (like Newport, 45 min away) create a ripple effect for luxury contractors.
  • Public Works: +5-8%. Stable, pensioned positions with the city or state.
  • LEED AP / Sustainability: +5%. Essential for new commercial projects.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Field to Office: Start as a Superintendent, move to Project Manager, then to Senior PM or Operations Manager.
  2. Technical to Business: Get your PE, move into estimating or project executive roles, focusing on bids and client relations.
  3. Entrepreneurial: After 10-15 years of local experience, many PMs launch their own small contracting firms, leveraging their network in Warwick and the broader RI market.

• 10-Year Outlook: The focus will shift to renovation and retrofitting. Warwick’s housing stock is aging (median home age: ~50 years). There will be significant work in energy-efficient upgrades, seismic retrofitting (for coastal resilience), and adaptive reuse of old commercial buildings. PMs who master these skills will be in the driver’s seat.

The Verdict: Is Warwick Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salaries are competitive and above national average.	High state income (5.99%) and property taxes.
Central location in New England for regional projects.	Car-dependent; public transit is limited.
Diverse job market (residential, commercial, airport, institutional).	Winters are long, cold, and can disrupt construction schedules.
Reasonable cost of living compared to Boston or NYC.	Limited nightlife and cultural scene compared to nearby Providence.
Access to coastline and recreational activities.	Small metro area (82,997 population) means a tight-knit, sometimes insular professional network.

Final Recommendation: Warwick is an excellent choice for a Construction Manager who values stability over flash, commutes a car, and wants to be at the hub of Rhode Island’s construction activity without paying Providence prices. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals (3-10 years experience) looking to solidify their expertise and potentially buy a home. If you’re an early-career professional seeking a vibrant, walkable urban environment, you may prefer living in Providence and commuting to Warwick. For those with 10+ years of experience, Warwick offers a platform to launch a local firm or secure a high-paying senior role in a growing, albeit slow-burn, market.

FAQs

1. Do I need my PE license to get a job as a Construction Manager in Warwick?
It’s not mandatory for all positions, but it’s a significant advantage. For roles managing public projects, healthcare facilities, or large-scale commercial work, a PE is often preferred or required. Without one, you’ll be competing more on experience and portfolio.

2. How is the job market for Construction Managers in Rhode Island?
It’s stable. With 165 jobs in the metro area and an 8% growth forecast, it’s not a boomtown but offers consistent opportunity. The key is specialization. Generic PMs will struggle; those with experience in healthcare, sustainable building, or public works will find more openings.

3. What’s the biggest challenge for construction in Warwick?
The labor shortage. Like much of New England, finding skilled craft workers is a constant struggle for PMs. This is why experienced managers who can build and retain a reliable subcontractor network are highly valued. It also means project schedules are often tight.

4. Is it better to rent or buy when moving to Warwick?
For a single person, renting a 1BR for ~$1,362/month is the safer, more flexible option initially. It lets you learn the neighborhoods and job landscape. Buying makes financial sense once you’re established in a role paying $115,000+ and plan to stay for 5+ years.

5. What professional associations should I join in Rhode Island?
Join the Rhode Island Associated General Contractors (RI AGC) and the CMAA New England Chapter. They host networking events, provide training, and are essential for building the local connections that drive career growth in this tight-knit market.