Find Grad Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Construction Manager

Find Schools Near

All About Construction Managers

Occupation Description 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.

A Day in the Life of a Construction Manager

  • Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
  • Apply for and obtain all necessary permits or licenses.
  • Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
  • Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
  • Develop or implement quality control programs.
  • Develop construction budgets to compare green and non-green construction alternatives, in terms of short-term costs, long-term costs, or environmental impacts.

What Every Construction Manager Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Construction Managers say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

  • Vice President of Operations
  • Street Contractor
  • Project Executive
  • Street Supervisor
  • Masonry Contractor

Is There Going to be Demand for Construction Managers?

In the United States, there were 403,800 jobs for Construction Manager in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 44,800 new jobs for Construction Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 33,200 job openings in this field each year.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Construction Manager are Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Construction Manager

The typical yearly salary for Construction Managers is somewhere between $55,240 and $161,510.

undefined

Construction Managers who work in New Jersey, Delaware, or New York, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Construction Managers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $96,500
Alaska $115,580
Arizona $92,520
Arkansas $78,250
California $117,770
Colorado $97,170
Connecticut $112,570
Delaware $124,000
District of Columbia $103,310
Florida $94,150
Georgia $105,330
Hawaii $109,850
Idaho $78,880
Illinois $95,020
Indiana $86,210
Iowa $84,710
Kansas $87,270
Kentucky $89,990
Louisiana $99,610
Maine $84,410
Maryland $106,050
Massachusetts $109,130
Michigan $101,810
Minnesota $93,230
Mississippi $79,380
Missouri $96,680
Montana $96,000
Nebraska $93,080
Nevada $94,350
New Hampshire $91,490
New Jersey $145,400
New Mexico $89,410
New York $131,950
North Carolina $109,520
North Dakota $109,640
Ohio $103,700
Oklahoma $85,950
Oregon $98,110
Pennsylvania $106,270
Rhode Island $132,750
South Carolina $100,030
South Dakota $95,820
Tennessee $82,870
Texas $98,420
Utah $83,990
Vermont $92,730
Virginia $109,980
Washington $100,180
West Virginia $113,320
Wisconsin $113,270
Wyoming $96,050

What Tools do Construction Managers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Construction Managers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Database software
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Scheduling software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer

How to Become a Construction Manager

Education needed to be a Construction Manager:

undefined

What work experience do I need to become a Construction Manager?

undefined

Who Employs Construction Managers?

undefined

Below are examples of industries where Construction Managers work:

undefined

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those who work as a Construction Manager sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Graduate Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited graduate schools across the U.S.