Construction Assistant Project Manager Salary Austin, TX 2026 | Amundson

Construction Assistant Project Manager Salary Austin, TX 2026 | Amundson

Austin’s construction boom continues to reshape salary expectations for Assistant Project Managers. In 2026, the typical base salary range for this role in Austin is $105K, $147K, with total compensation often climbing 10-30% higher when bonuses, truck allowances, and per-diem are factored in.

Assistant Project Manager salary range in Austin: $105K, $147K base

The $105K, $147K range reflects Austin’s thriving construction sector and regional cost-of-living adjustments. Several factors drive where a candidate lands within this band:

Years of experience is the primary lever. An Assistant PM with 3-5 years under their belt typically sits at the lower end of the range, while someone with 10-15 years of field and office experience commands premium pay. Project scope and sector matter significantly too. An Assistant PM on a $50M+ commercial high-rise will earn more than someone managing smaller residential or maintenance projects. Employer size and stability also influence base, larger, well-capitalized firms with consistent workload tend to pay 5-10% higher than smaller operations.

Beyond base salary, performance bonuses typically add 10-20% annually, and truck allowances or per-diem can contribute another $300, $800 per month depending on field time requirements. This means a competitive total compensation package can easily reach $145K, $190K+ for mid-career performers.

What drives Assistant Project Manager pay in Austin’s construction market

Austin has become one of the fastest-growing construction markets in the US, driven by sustained corporate relocation, multifamily development, and infrastructure investment. This growth has created intense competition for experienced Assistant PMs, pushing salaries upward.

Sector mix plays a key role in pay variation. Commercial and industrial projects, which dominate Austin’s market, tend to pay 8-15% more than residential or civil work, simply because project budgets and risk profiles are larger. Labor availability remains tight; the talent pipeline for mid-level construction management hasn’t kept pace with demand, which sustains salary pressure. Additionally, prevailing wage and union projects (common in heavy highway and certain public-sector work) push compensation higher, sometimes by 20%+ over non-prevailing equivalents.

The city’s cost of living, while rising, still sits 5-10% below major coastal metros. The salary range we quote already incorporates Austin’s living costs, making these figures competitive and realistic for local hiring.

Assistant Project Manager compensation by experience level

Here’s how Assistant PM base salaries typically break down in Austin by career stage (all figures Austin-adjusted):

  • 3-5 years of experience: $89K, $110K

Entry-level Assistant PMs, often transitioning from foreman or superintendent roles, start here. Focus is on learning office operations and project controls.

  • 5-10 years of experience: $105K, $126K

Mid-career performers with proven track records on multiple projects. These are the core candidates for most Austin construction firms.

  • 10-15 years of experience: $126K, $147K

Senior Assistant PMs or those approaching full Project Manager promotion. Deep expertise in budgeting, scheduling, and stakeholder management commands premium pay.

  • 15+ years of experience: $147K, $176K+

May include former PMs stepping back for lifestyle reasons, or specialists in complex delivery methods (design-build, CM@Risk). Often blur the line between Assistant PM and PM titles.

Benefits + total comp beyond base

Austin construction employers typically offer comprehensive benefits packages that add 15-25% to base salary value:

Retirement & health benefits are standard: 401(k) matching in the 3-6% range, health/dental/vision, and increasingly, wellness programs. Vehicle & per-diem allowances are nearly universal for field-based roles, expect $400, $800/month depending on project locations and time spent in the office vs. field. Performance bonuses tie to project profitability and safety metrics, typically 10-20% of base, paid annually or semi-annually. Some firms also offer profit-sharing or stock options if they’re larger, established operations.

Safety incentives, tuition reimbursement, and professional development budgets are increasingly common as firms compete for talent. These non-cash benefits often influence total package perception as much as salary itself.

What Austin construction companies pay top performers

The $105K, $147K range represents the typical band, but top performers in high-value sectors regularly exceed it. Amundson Group’s placement data shows that exceptional Assistant PMs on major commercial or industrial projects, particularly those with specialized expertise in project controls, scheduling software (Primavera, Touchplan), or union coordination, command $155K, $190K+ base.

Scarcity and specialization drive the premium. An Assistant PM with deep experience in healthcare, data center, or advanced manufacturing construction, for instance, can justify $160K, $180K at the right firm. Similarly, candidates with certifications (DBIA, PMI-CP, LEED) or proven track records on design-build and integrated delivery models often negotiate at or above the $147K ceiling.

Austin’s competitive landscape means top performers have options. Firms actively recruiting for growth are willing to pay 10-20% above market range to lock in experienced talent, especially if they have a strong safety record and can demonstrate job security.

See Amundson Group’s full Assistant Project Manager Salary Guide

This snapshot reflects Austin’s 2026 market, calibrated from real placement data. Amundson Group updates our full Salary Guide quarterly, covering Assistant PM roles across all major construction verticals, commercial, civil & heavy highway, multifamily, industrial, and energy.

If you’re hiring or exploring construction careers in Austin, our custom AI-assisted screening and salary benchmarking help you stay competitive. Reach out to hire talent or explore current opportunities.