Data last updated: August 2026. This page is refreshed annually. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Indeed salary data, PayScale compensation data, and HomeAdvisor/Angi national contractor surveys.
General contractors occupy a wide income range — from solo operators making $60,000/year to business owners pulling $500,000+. This report covers GC income by state, experience level, and business model for 2026, compiled from BLS data, Indeed, PayScale, and industry surveys.
General Contractor Income Overview
The BLS tracks construction managers (which includes many GCs) separately from construction laborers. Construction managers have a national median wage of $104,900/year. Self-employed GCs running their own firms typically earn more — or less — depending entirely on their revenue and efficiency.
- Employed GC / project manager (entry): $55,000–$75,000/year
- Employed GC (experienced): $80,000–$120,000/year
- Self-employed GC (small firm, <$500k revenue): $60,000–$120,000/year owner income
- Self-employed GC (mid firm, $500k–$2M revenue): $100,000–$200,000/year owner income
- Self-employed GC (large firm, $2M+ revenue): $150,000–$400,000+ owner income
Know your numbers before you quote
Top-earning contractors use estimating software to build accurate quotes fast and protect their margins. Housecall Pro and Jobber are the leading options for field service businesses — both include flat-rate pricing books, job costing, and invoice automation.
General Contractor Salary by State (2026)
The table below shows median annual wages for construction managers, the closest BLS classification to GC work:
| State | Median Annual (Construction Manager) | Top 25% Annual | Est. Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $84,200 | $114,000 | 3,800 |
| Alaska | $107,400 | $142,000 | 900 |
| Arizona | $96,800 | $130,000 | 7,400 |
| Arkansas | $79,600 | $107,000 | 2,800 |
| California | $125,400 | $170,000 | 38,200 |
| Colorado | $109,800 | $148,000 | 8,900 |
| Connecticut | $118,200 | $158,000 | 4,200 |
| Delaware | $99,400 | $133,000 | 1,100 |
| Florida | $93,600 | $126,000 | 26,800 |
| Georgia | $95,200 | $128,000 | 12,400 |
| Hawaii | $118,600 | $157,000 | 2,100 |
| Idaho | $84,800 | $114,000 | 2,900 |
| Illinois | $112,400 | $152,000 | 14,800 |
| Indiana | $88,200 | $119,000 | 7,200 |
| Iowa | $87,600 | $118,000 | 4,400 |
| Kansas | $84,400 | $114,000 | 3,600 |
| Kentucky | $85,800 | $115,000 | 4,800 |
| Louisiana | $88,600 | $119,000 | 5,400 |
| Maine | $82,400 | $111,000 | 1,800 |
| Maryland | $109,200 | $147,000 | 8,600 |
| Massachusetts | $124,800 | $168,000 | 9,800 |
| Michigan | $91,400 | $123,000 | 9,600 |
| Minnesota | $103,800 | $140,000 | 7,800 |
| Mississippi | $76,400 | $103,000 | 2,600 |
| Missouri | $90,200 | $121,000 | 7,200 |
| Montana | $83,600 | $113,000 | 2,100 |
| Nebraska | $86,200 | $116,000 | 3,100 |
| Nevada | $100,400 | $135,000 | 5,200 |
| New Hampshire | $98,200 | $132,000 | 2,200 |
| New Jersey | $118,800 | $160,000 | 11,600 |
| New Mexico | $82,600 | $111,000 | 2,400 |
| New York | $133,200 | $180,000 | 22,400 |
| North Carolina | $90,800 | $122,000 | 11,800 |
| North Dakota | $91,600 | $124,000 | 1,600 |
| Ohio | $93,400 | $126,000 | 13,200 |
| Oklahoma | $84,200 | $113,000 | 4,600 |
| Oregon | $105,200 | $142,000 | 6,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,800 | $136,000 | 14,800 |
| Rhode Island | $108,600 | $146,000 | 1,600 |
| South Carolina | $87,400 | $118,000 | 6,200 |
| South Dakota | $83,200 | $112,000 | 1,400 |
| Tennessee | $89,600 | $121,000 | 8,800 |
| Texas | $99,200 | $134,000 | 42,600 |
| Utah | $94,800 | $128,000 | 5,600 |
| Vermont | $84,600 | $114,000 | 1,200 |
| Virginia | $102,400 | $138,000 | 11,400 |
| Washington | $114,800 | $155,000 | 10,800 |
| West Virginia | $78,200 | $105,000 | 2,200 |
| Wisconsin | $91,800 | $123,000 | 7,400 |
| Wyoming | $88,400 | $119,000 | 1,100 |
How General Contractors Price Their Work
Cost-Plus Pricing
The most transparent model: total actual costs (labor + materials + subs) plus a markup of 15–25% for overhead and 10–20% for profit. Total markup on costs typically runs 25–45%.
Fixed-Price (Lump Sum) Bidding
The most common model for residential remodeling. GCs price the full scope and absorb cost overruns (or keep savings). Markup on a lump sum bid is typically 20–35% above total cost estimate.
GC Markup on Subcontractors
Standard industry practice is a 10–20% markup on subcontractor invoices. This covers coordination overhead, liability, and warranty risk. On large commercial projects, 10% is typical; on smaller residential work, 15–20% is common.
Know your numbers before you quote
Top-earning contractors use estimating software to build accurate quotes fast and protect their margins. Housecall Pro and Jobber are the leading options for field service businesses — both include flat-rate pricing books, job costing, and invoice automation.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 11-9021 (Construction Managers)
- Indeed Salary Data, General Contractor, 2026
- PayScale Compensation Data, General Contractor, 2026
- NAHB Cost of Doing Business Study, 2025