Construction Managers: Career Overview
Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
Featured schools near , edit
The Daily Work of Construction Managers Do?
The core tasks performed by construction managers span:
- Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
- Develop or implement quality control programs.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
- Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
- Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
- Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
- Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
What Construction Managers Need to Know
Successful construction managers draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Construction Managers Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Bridges and Buildings Supervisor
- Commercial Construction Project Manager
- Commercial Construction Superintendent
- Commercial Superintendent
- Concrete Foreman
- Construction Area Manager
- Construction Coordinator
- Construction Director
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 498,432 construction managers working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -0.3% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Construction Managers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $83,791 |
| Hourly median | $40.28 |
| 10th percentile | $55,444 |
| 25th percentile | $69,617 |
| 75th percentile | $97,964 |
| 90th percentile | $112,138 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $147,750 |
| Washington | $136,180 |
| Alaska | $135,630 |
| New York | $135,530 |
| Delaware | $135,200 |
| New Jersey | $130,580 |
| California | $129,000 |
| District of Columbia | $128,770 |
| Maryland | $128,500 |
| Oregon | $126,660 |
| Hawaii | $122,910 |
| Connecticut | $118,680 |
| Minnesota | $117,500 |
| Colorado | $113,520 |
| South Dakota | $113,520 |
| Wisconsin | $113,170 |
| Arizona | $110,120 |
| Illinois | $108,570 |
| Virginia | $107,000 |
| North Carolina | $104,750 |
| Nevada | $104,530 |
| Louisiana | $104,510 |
| Missouri | $104,350 |
| Maine | $104,060 |
| South Carolina | $104,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,990 |
| Kansas | $103,760 |
| Michigan | $103,610 |
| Rhode Island | $103,500 |
| Florida | $103,320 |
| Idaho | $102,880 |
| Montana | $102,820 |
| Georgia | $101,360 |
| North Dakota | $101,020 |
| New Mexico | $100,580 |
| Utah | $99,900 |
| Tennessee | $99,790 |
| Vermont | $99,660 |
| Kentucky | $99,620 |
| Indiana | $99,600 |
| Texas | $99,600 |
| Wyoming | $97,050 |
| Nebraska | $96,760 |
| Ohio | $96,440 |
| Oklahoma | $96,310 |
| Iowa | $96,300 |
| Mississippi | $93,840 |
| Alabama | $92,620 |
| Guam | $88,760 |
| Arkansas | $87,160 |
| Virgin Islands | $80,880 |
| West Virginia | $76,150 |
| Puerto Rico | $68,700 |
Where Construction Managers Earn the Most
Earnings for construction managers differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $132,885 | 4.3% | 1.04 |
| Far Western US | $127,588 | 16.0% | 1.02 |
| Middle Atlantic | $126,663 | 8.5% | 0.65 |
| Rocky Mountains | $108,134 | 6.5% | 1.72 |
| Plains States | $105,928 | 5.5% | 0.89 |
| Great Lakes | $103,667 | 14.3% | 1.05 |
| Southeast | $101,835 | 26.1% | 1.16 |
| Southwest | $100,999 | 18.6% | 1.55 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $160,870 | 5,660 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $156,590 | 6,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $151,980 | 2,100 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | WA | $140,980 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $138,970 | 4,220 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $138,000 | 12,150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $136,970 | 2,760 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $136,400 | 780 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of construction managers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 277,520 | $104,530 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 15,160 | $128,000 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 9,580 | $128,910 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 6,260 | $137,190 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 6,160 | $108,630 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 3,890 | $142,620 |
| Utilities | 3,430 | $134,700 |
| Manufacturing | 3,280 | $118,660 |
Below are examples of industries where construction managers work:
Software Construction Managers Use
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Creative Cloud software (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk Revit (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Google Docs (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of construction managers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Most construction managers positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Facilities Managers (Primary-Long)
- Industrial Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Geothermal Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Architectural and Engineering Managers (Primary-Long)
- Wind Energy Development Managers (Supplemental)
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators (Supplemental)
- Cost Estimators (Supplemental)
- Project Management Specialists (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Aspiring construction managers commonly pursue programs in:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
6 programs across 3 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 11-9021.00 (Construction Managers).
BusinessDegreeCentral.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© BusinessDegreeCentral.com – All Rights Reserved.