Construction Managers
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.
- Median pay
- $114,990
- Doing it now
- 609,100
- By 2035
- Up 9.1%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
a year
across the country
49,700 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
- Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
- Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
- Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
- Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
- Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.
- Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Construction ManagementSee 98 colleges that teach it
- Construction Engineering Technology/TechnicianSee 70 colleges that teach it
- Business Administration, Management and OperationsSee 1,587 colleges that teach it
- Business/Commerce, GeneralSee 487 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Leading and persuading
Organised and precise
Hands-on and practical
Careers like this one
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $114,990 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.