Construction Manager in Wichita Falls, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Wichita Falls Stands

As a local who’s watched the Wichita Falls construction scene from the ground up, I can tell you the numbers tell a compelling story. The median salary for a Construction Manager here is $104,606 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.29. That’s solid for the Texoma region, but it’s important to understand where it sits on the broader scale. The national average for Construction Managers is $108,210, meaning our local figure is about 3.3% below the U.S. norm. It’s not a dramatic gap, but it’s a data point you need to factor into your decision-making.

What does this salary mean in context? Wichita Falls isn’t a major metropolis like Dallas or Houston, where salaries are higher but so is the cost of living and competition. Our market is more insulated, with a metro population of 102,683 and roughly 205 Construction Manager jobs in the area. That’s a niche but stable market. The 10-year job growth projection is 8%, which is steady but not explosive. This isn't a boomtown; it's a place for sustainable, long-term careers.

Here’s a realistic breakdown by experience level. These figures are based on local hiring trends, BLS data, and conversations with area firms. Note that smaller, local firms might cap out at the mid-level, while larger national contractors with local offices (like those servicing Sheppard AFB) can push into the higher brackets.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Typical Local Role & Context
Entry-Level (0-3 years)	$72,000 - $88,000	Project Engineer, Assistant Superintendent. You’re learning the basics on commercial or public works projects. Many start in civil or industrial sectors.
Mid-Level (4-7 years)	$95,000 - $118,000	Project Manager, Superintendent. You’re running your own projects. This is the core of the local market, especially in healthcare, education, and light industrial construction.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$115,000 - $135,000	Senior PM, Project Executive. Managing multiple projects or large-scale public works (e.g., city infrastructure, school bonds). You’re likely with a regional firm.
Expert/Leadership (15+ years)	$130,000 - $155,000+	Director of Operations, VP. Overseeing the entire Texas region for a national firm or running a successful local outfit. Top earners often have military base experience.

Insider Tip: The highest salaries aren’t always with the biggest company. The real premium in Wichita Falls comes from specialized experience, particularly with federal projects at Sheppard Air Force Base or navigating the unique red tape of municipal bonds. A PM who can expertly handle a $20M school renovation bond is worth more than a generalist.

Compared to other Texas cities:

• Dallas-Fort Worth: Median ~$120,000+. Salaries are 15% higher, but cost of living is 40%+ higher.
• Austin: Median ~$118,000+. Similar to DFW, but the market is hyper-competitive and saturated.
• Wichita Falls: Our median $104,606 goes much further. You trade the hustle of a major metro for affordability and a less cutthroat professional environment.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to brass tacks. How does that $104,606 salary feel in your bank account? Using a standard estimator for Texas (no state income tax, ~22% federal bracket + FICA), you’re looking at a monthly take-home of approximately $6,500 - $6,800 after taxes. This is a comfortable position in Wichita Falls.

Here’s a sample monthly budget breakdown for a single Construction Manager earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes & Local Context
Take-Home Pay	$6,650	After federal taxes, FICA, and health insurance.
Housing (1BR Apartment)	$843	The city-wide average. You can find nice 1BRs in the $750-$950 range.
Utilities	$200	Electricity (TXU/Reliant), water, gas, trash. Summers are hot; AC bills spike.
Groceries	$400	Prices are moderate. H-E-B is the dominant grocer.
Transportation	$500	Car payment ($300), gas ($120), insurance ($80). A reliable truck/SUV is standard for this job.
Health/Personal	$300	Gym, personal care, etc.
Discretionary/Savings	$3,407	This is your real freedom. You can aggressively pay down debt, save for a down payment, or invest.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The Wichita Falls housing market is one of the most affordable in the nation. The median home price hovers around $140,000 - $160,000. With a $104,606 salary, you are well within the 28% rule for housing costs. A 20% down payment on a $150,000 home is $30,000. Given your high discretionary income (over $3,000/month), you could save this in under a year, or in 2-3 years while living comfortably and investing. This is the single biggest financial advantage of living here vs. a major metro.

Where the Jobs Are: Wichita Falls's Major Employers

The job market here is a mix of public, private, and federal-influenced work. You won't find the endless corporate HQs of Dallas, but you will find stable, long-term employers. Here are the key players:

1. Hensel Phelps / Manhattan Construction / Byrne Construction Services: These are the major national contractors with significant regional offices in Wichita Falls. They are the prime bidders on large public and institutional projects. Hensel Phelps, for example, has been involved in major healthcare and educational builds. Hiring is competitive and often tied to specific project wins. They look for proven PMs with strong financial management skills.

2. City of Wichita Falls (Public Works Department): The city itself is a massive employer. They manage everything from road repairs and water treatment plants to park renovations. The pay is stable, with excellent benefits (city pension), but the process can be slower. Jobs are posted on the city website. They need managers who understand municipal codes and can navigate public bidding processes.

3. Wichita Falls ISD (WFISD) & Vernon College: School districts are constant builders. With a growing population and aging facilities, WFISD constantly has bond projects. The same goes for Vernon College's local campus and its vocational training facilities. These projects are predictable and well-funded but come with strict oversight and community involvement.

4. United Regional Health Care System: As the largest hospital in the region, United Regional is always building, renovating, or expanding. Managing a hospital addition is a specialized skill due to infection control protocols (ICRA) and working in an occupied facility. This experience is a huge resume booster in the Texas market.

5. Sheppard Air Force Base (Contracting & Facilities): This is the economic engine of the region. While base jobs are federal, the vast majority of construction work is done by private contractors. A PM with a Security Clearance or experience in federal contracting (understanding FAR, DFARS) is worth their weight in gold. The base has ongoing training facility upgrades, barracks renovations, and maintenance projects. This is a niche that pays a premium.

6. Local & Regional Developers: Firms like Wichita Falls Development or Crown Creek Properties drive residential and commercial growth. Working for a developer gives you a broad perspective on land acquisition, site planning, and managing multiple subcontractors across different trades.

Hiring Trend Insight: The market is steady, not frantic. Most hiring happens through word-of-mouth and professional networks like the North Texas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC). The 8% growth is real but incremental. The best opportunities are for managers who can bridge the gap between design and construction, or who have specialized skills in healthcare, education, or federal work.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas does not require a state-issued license for Construction Managers. However, this does not mean you can work without credentials. You will be working under the umbrella of licensed trades (electricians, plumbers, etc.) or your own business entity. Here’s the practical path:

1. Education & Experience: Most firms require a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field. If you don't have one, you’ll need significant field experience (5+ years) to compete at the mid-level.
2. Professional Certifications (Key to Advancement):
   • Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Administered by CMAA. This is the gold standard. It requires documented experience and passing an exam. It’s highly respected by owners and public agencies.
   • OSHA 30-Hour Certification: A non-negotiable for any safety-conscious firm. Often required by contractors on federal and large commercial projects.
   • LEED AP: For green building projects. Not essential everywhere, but a growing differentiator.
3. Insurance & Bonding: If you start your own firm, you’ll need general liability insurance, worker’s comp, and possibly surety bonds. Costs vary widely, but small firm policies start around $2,000-$5,000/year.
4. Timeline: If you’re already a CM elsewhere, moving your certifications (like CCM) is immediate. Starting from scratch with a related degree and aiming for a CCM typically takes 2-4 years of dedicated experience and study.

Insider Tip: Join the Texas Construction Association (TCA) and the local AGC chapter immediately. The network here is small and relationships are everything. Many jobs never hit a job board.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Location matters for commute and lifestyle. Wichita Falls is a driving town; you’ll need a vehicle. Here’s a breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why a CM Would Choose It
Midwestern Park / Southwest	Quiet, established, family-friendly. Close to Sheppard AFB (10-15 min).	$800 - $950	Ideal for a senior PM with a family. Short commute to the base or major contractors. Good schools.
Downtown / Historic District	Walkable, revitalizing, with a small-town feel.	$750 - $900	For the younger CM who wants nightlife and a 5-minute walk to a coffee shop. Commute to most job sites is 10-15 mins.
North Wichita Falls	More affordable, mix of older and newer homes. Closer to industrial parks.	$700 - $850	Great for an entry-level manager on a budget. Proximity to manufacturing and infrastructure projects.
Burkburnett / Iowa Park (Satellite)	Small-town feel, 15-20 minute commute. Very affordable housing.	$650 - $800	For those seeking more land, a quieter lifestyle, and a short drive to the city. Popular with project managers who want to escape the city.
Kemp & Southwest Parkway	Modern suburbia, shopping centers, new construction.	$850 - $1,000	For the manager who wants newer amenities and a straightforward commute to corporate offices and major retail construction.

Local Insight: The commute is rarely the issue—it’s the distance to your specific job site. A manager working on a downtown renovation will live centrally. A PM on a Sheppard AFB project will likely live in Southwest or Midwestern Park to minimize drive time.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Wichita Falls, career growth is less about vertical promotions in a single company and more about strategic role changes and specialization.

Specialty Premiums:

• Federal Projects (Sheppard AFB): A PM with federal experience can command a 10-15% premium over the base salary. It’s a niche skill that keeps you in demand.
• Healthcare Construction: Expertise in ICRA, MEP coordination for hospitals, and working in occupied facilities is highly prized by firms like United Regional and their contractors.
• Public Works & Municipal Bonds: Understanding the intricacies of TxDOT guidelines and city planning departments is a career-long asset.

Advancement Paths:

1. Technical Track: Project Engineer -> Project Manager -> Senior PM -> Project Executive. You focus on mastering complex builds.
2. Management Track: PM -> Operations Manager -> Regional Director. You focus on business development, profit & loss, and team leadership.
3. Entrepreneurial Track: PM -> Owner's Rep -> Own Your Own Small Firm. This is common here. Many successful local contractors started as PMs for larger firms, built a network, and branched out.

10-Year Outlook: The 8% growth is tied to the economic health of the region, which is heavily influenced by defense spending (Sheppard AFB) and agribusiness. The push for aging infrastructure upgrades (water systems, roads) will provide steady public work. The trend is toward more project delivery methods like Design-Build, which requires managers to be more integrated from day one. The CM who can manage both the design and construction phases will be the most valuable.

The Verdict: Is Wichita Falls Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extremely Low Cost of Living. Your salary buys a quality of life that’s unattainable in major metros.	Limited Job Market. 205 jobs total. If you’re laid off, options are few.
Stable, Predictable Work. Less volatility than boom-bust markets.	Salaries are Below National Average. You trade earnings for affordability.
Strong Sense of Community. You’re not a number; you’re known in the professional network.	Fewer "Buzz" Projects. You won't be building a supertall or a tech campus.
Short Commutes. 15-20 minutes is the norm, not the exception.	Limited Cultural/Culinary Scene. It’s improving, but it’s not a foodie or arts hub.
Gateway to Specialization. Become an expert in federal or public works construction.	Weather. Tornadoes and extreme summer heat are real factors.

Final Recommendation: Wichita Falls is an excellent choice for a Construction Manager who values work-life balance, financial stability, and a slower pace of life. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, raise a family, and build deep roots in a community. It is not the place for someone chasing the absolute top-tier salary or the thrill of relentless, high-stakes urban development. If you’re pragmatic, network-savvy, and skilled in public or institutional work, you can build a highly successful and comfortable career here.

FAQs

Q: I’m moving from a big city. How hard is the professional adjustment?
A: The technical work is the same, but the social dynamics are different. In a small pond, your reputation is your currency. Be professional, reliable, and network actively with the local AGC chapter. Avoid the "big city" arrogance; listen and learn the local way of doing things.

Q: Are there opportunities for remote or hybrid work in this field?
A: Limited. Construction management is inherently field-based. You might do office work from home on Fridays, but you need to be on-site daily. The exception is high-level regional management, which may offer some flexibility, but not for day-to-day PM roles.

Q: What’s the best way to get a job with Sheppard AFB contractors without a clearance?
A: Start with a contractor that does work on base as one of several clients. Excelling there and showing you can handle federal paperwork (even without a clearance) can make you a candidate for a project that requires one. Some firms will sponsor a clearance for the right candidate, which is a huge career move.

Q: Is the 8% job growth enough to support a long-term career?
A: Yes, for the right person. The growth is steady, not explosive. It means the market isn’t saturated and there’s room for advancement. You won’t see massive hiring sprees, but you’ll see consistent openings as people retire or move to the next level. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Q: How important is it to know someone to get hired?
A: In a market this size, it’s critical. Not necessarily a close friend, but a professional contact. Your best bet is to connect with a Project Manager or Superintendent currently working here via LinkedIn, ask for an informational interview, and learn about their firm. Many jobs are filled before they’re ever advertised.