Construction Managers vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $45,680 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 74.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$37,600$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $37,600 | +$27,560 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $47,200 | +$36,280 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $61,300 | +$45,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $79,000 | +$60,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $103,030 | +$73,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $68,610 | +$51,050 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
Best Cities for Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Construction Managers or Graphic Designers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $45,680 (74.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Construction Managers and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS