Construction Manager

Written By Keandra Wilson

 1. OVERVIEW

Construction managers plan, coordinate, and oversee construction projects from start to finish. They are responsible for budgeting, scheduling, compliance with codes, and team supervision. These professionals are vital to ensuring infrastructure, commercial, residential, and industrial projects are delivered on time and within scope.

  • 2024 Median Pay: $106,980 per year ($51.43/hour)

  • Job Growth (2023–2033): +9% (Much faster than average)

  • Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

Job Titles: Assistant Construction Manager, Project Engineer, Construction Intern, Field Coordinator

Education: Bachelor’s degree (or Associate degree with experience); major in Construction Science, Civil Engineering, or Architecture

Experience: 0–2 years in construction sites, trades, or project support roles; internships preferred

Certifications (Optional):

  • Associate Constructor (AC)

  • OSHA 10/30-Hour Construction Certification

Core Duties:

  • Assist in budgeting and project scheduling

  • Review blueprints and assist with site inspections

  • Monitor subcontractor progress and safety compliance

  • Create reports and track project KPIs

  • Coordinate materials and equipment deliveries

Salary Range: $55,000–$80,000

MID LEVEL

Job Titles: Project Manager, Construction Superintendent, Cost Estimator, Site Manager

Education: Bachelor’s + 5–8 years experience, or MBA/Construction Management certifications

Certifications (Preferred):

  • Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

  • LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)

  • PMP (Project Management Professional)

Core Duties:

  • Lead teams and oversee multiple subcontractors

  • Create detailed budgets, reports, and timelines

  • Resolve delays, budget overruns, and compliance issues

  • Supervise procurement and change orders

  • Mentor junior managers and oversee mid-sized projects

Salary Range: $90,000–$135,000

SENIOR LEVEL

Job Titles: Director of Construction, VP of Construction, Senior Project Executive, Construction Program Manager

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s + 10–20+ years leadership experience

Certifications (Valued):

  • Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)

  • Executive MBA, LEED Fellow, or CCM advanced status

Core Duties:

  • Oversee large-scale or multi-site programs and teams

  • Develop strategic partnerships and client relationships

  • Manage budgets exceeding $10M+

  • Negotiate contracts and lead regulatory planning

  • Represent company in legal, public, and high-risk matters

Salary Range: $140,000–$250,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

  • Minimum Education: Bachelor’s in Construction Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering

  • Training: On-the-job training under senior managers, site rotations

  • Certifications: AC, CPC, CCM, OSHA, PMP, LEED AP

  • Soft Skills: Communication, risk analysis, negotiation, leadership, time management

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills:

  • Blueprint reading and project planning

  • Budgeting and scheduling software

  • Subcontractor and labor coordination

  • Legal and code compliance

  • Contract negotiation and risk mitigation

Tools:

  • Procore, PlanGrid, Buildertrend

  • AutoCAD, Bluebeam

  • MS Project, Primavera P6

  • Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint

  • Drones, laser measuring, BIM tools

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Industries: Commercial, residential, government, civil engineering, infrastructure

  • Worksites: Office + On-site field offices; may require travel and 24/7 availability

  • Schedules: Full-time; extended hours, weekends, and emergencies possible

6. JOB OUTLOOK

  • Annual Openings: 45,800+ through 2033

  • Growth Drivers: Infrastructure upgrades, energy efficiency retrofits, population growth

  • Trends: Green building, digital project management, modular construction

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

  • Role: Civil Engineers | Salary: $99,590 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Project Management Specialists | Salary: $100,750 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Cost Estimators | Salary: $77,070 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Architects | Salary: $96,690 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Engineering Managers | Salary: $167,740 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Certifications & Associations:

Books:

  • Construction Management JumpStart by Barbara J. Jackson

  • Modern Construction Management by Frank Harris

  • Construction Project Manager’s Pocket Book by Duncan Cartlidge

  • The Lean Builder by Joe Donarumo and Keyan Zandy

Videos & Courses:

  • YouTube: The B1M, Construction Management School

  • LinkedIn Learning: Construction Management Foundations

  • Coursera: Construction Project Management (Columbia University)

  • edX: Introduction to Construction Management (Delft University)

Communities:

  • Reddit: r/Construction

  • LinkedIn: Construction Project Management Group

  • Facebook Groups: Construction Management Professionals

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

Keandra Wilson
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