### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Construction Managers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			construction managers imageConstruction managers need to coordinate activities on large projects.							
						Quick Facts:     Construction Managers2023     Median Pay
            						$104,900     per year
										$50.43     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    505,800Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    22,900What Construction Managers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Construction managers may have a main office but spend most of their time in a field office onsite, where they monitor projects and make decisions about construction activities. Their schedules may vary.
            
                                                How to Become a Construction Manager
                                                
                        
Construction managers typically need a bachelor’s degree, and they learn management techniques through on-the-job training. Large construction firms may prefer to hire candidates who have both construction experience and a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for construction managers was $104,900 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of construction managers is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 38,700 openings for construction managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for construction managers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of construction managers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about construction managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Construction Managers Do 
            

			Construction managersConstruction managers often collaborate with engineers and architects.			
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
Duties
Construction managers typically do the following:
Prepare cost estimates, budgets, and work timetables
Interpret and explain contracts and technical information to other professionals
Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other construction specialists
Select subcontractors and schedule and coordinate their activities
Monitor projects and report progress and budget matters to the construction firm and clients
Respond to work delays, emergencies, and other problems with the project
Ensure that the project complies with legal requirements, such building and safety codesConstruction managers, often called *general contractors* or *project managers*, coordinate and supervise a variety of projects, including building public, residential, commercial, and industrial structures as well as roads and bridges.**Either a general contractor or a construction manager oversees the construction phase of a project, including personnel, but a construction manager may also consult with the client during the design phase to help refine construction plans and control costs.
These managers coordinate construction processes so that projects meet design specifications and are completed on time within budget. Some construction managers are responsible for several projects—for example, building multiple homes—at once.
Construction managers work closely with other building specialists, such as architects, civil engineers, and tradesworkers, including stonemasons, electricians, and carpenters. Depending on the project, construction managers may interact with lawyers or government officials. For example, when installing municipal sidewalks, construction managers may confer with city inspectors to ensure that the project meets required material specifications.
For large building projects, such as industrial complexes, a top-level construction manager may hire other managers for different aspects of the project. Each construction manager then oversees completion of a specific phase, such as structural foundation or electrical work, and the top-level manager coordinates with the managers to complete the entire project.
To maximize efficiency, construction managers often perform the tasks of a cost estimator. They use cost-estimating and planning software to allocate time and money for scheduling project deadlines.
 Work Environment
			construction managers imageConstruction managers supervise on-site activity.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Construction managers held about 505,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of construction managers were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                39%Specialty trade contractors
                16Nonresidential building construction
                15Residential building construction
                11Heavy and civil engineering construction
                7Construction managers may have a main office but spend most of their time in a field office onsite, where they monitor projects and make decisions about construction activities. Those who manage multiple projects must visit the different worksites, which may require travelling out of state or being away from home for extended periods.
Work Schedules
Most construction managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Construction managers’ work schedules may vary. They may need to work extra hours to meet deadlines, and they may have to be on call 24 hours a day to respond to project emergencies.
 How to Become a Construction Manager

			Construction managersNew construction managers are typically hired as assistants and work under the guidance of an experienced manager.			
Construction managers typically need a bachelor’s degree, and they learn management techniques through on-the-job training. Large construction firms may prefer to hire candidates who have both construction experience and a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field. Firms might hire as managers those who have a high school diploma and many years of experience in a construction trade; however, these people may be more likely to work as self-employed general contractors than to be hired as construction managers.
Education
Construction managers typically need a bachelor's degree in construction, business, engineering, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree programs in construction-related majors often include courses in project control and management, design, construction methods and materials, and cost estimation. Courses in business, communications, and mathematics are also helpful.
Some construction managers earn an associate’s degree in construction management or construction technology. An associate’s degree combined with work experience may be typical for managers who supervise small projects.
Candidates who have a high school diploma and several years of relevant work experience may qualify to become construction managers. However, these people may be more likely to work as self-employed general contractors than to be hired as construction managers.
Training
Newly hired construction managers typically work under the guidance of an experienced manager for up to 1 year. Depending on the firm, however, this on-the-job training may last for several years.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Construction experience is important for these managers, especially for ones who do not have a bachelor’s degree. For construction managers to qualify for jobs solely through experience, they must have worked many years in carpentry, masonry, or other construction specialties.
College students who participate in internships and cooperative education programs may gain experience through such programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require construction managers to be licensed. For more information, contact your state licensing board.
Professional certification, although not required, demonstrates a particular level of knowledge and experience.
The Construction Management Association of America awards the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential to workers who have the required experience and who pass a technical exam. Candidates complete a self-study course that covers topics related to construction managers, including the manager’s role, legal issues, and risk allocation.
The American Institute of Constructors awards the Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) credential to candidates who meet its requirements, which include passing construction exams.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Construction managers must be able to plan strategies, investigate project cost variances, and solve problems over the course of a project.
***Business skills.*** Construction managers need to prepare and follow project budgets, hire and manage staff, and coordinate with other workers and managers. Self-employed construction managers must generate their own business opportunities and be proactive in finding new clients.
***Communication skills.*** Construction managers must be able to clearly convey information orally and in writing. In addition to talking with owners and clients, managers must give clear orders and explain complex information to construction workers and discuss technical details with inspectors and other specialists, such as engineers.
***Decision-making skills.*** Construction managers need to choose personnel and subcontractors for specific tasks and jobs. They also must make myriad judgment calls about projects to ensure that they adhere to deadlines and budgets.
***Leadership skills.*** Construction managers must effectively delegate tasks to construction workers, subcontractors, and other lower level managers to ensure that projects are completed accurately and on time.
***Technical skills.*** Construction managers must have an applied knowledge of concepts and practices common in the industry, such as construction technologies, contracts, and technical drawings.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Construction ManagersMedian annual wages, May 2023Construction managers$104,900  Other management occupations$102,510  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for construction managers was $104,900 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $64,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $172,040.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for construction managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Heavy and civil engineering construction
                $110,940Nonresidential building construction
                107,660Specialty trade contractors
                101,390Residential building construction
                92,980In addition to salary, construction managers may also earn bonuses. Their earnings depend on the amount of business they generate.
Most construction managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Construction managers’ work schedules may vary. They may need to work extra hours to meet deadlines, and they may have to be on call 24 hours a day to respond to project emergencies.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Construction ManagersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Construction managers5%  Other management occupations5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of construction managers is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 38,700 openings for construction managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Construction managers are expected to be needed as overall construction activity expands. Over the projections decade, population and business growth will result in the construction of new residences, office buildings, retail outlets, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other structures. Also, the need to improve portions of the national infrastructure may spur employment growth as roads, bridges, and sewer pipe systems are upgraded or replaced.
In addition, a continuing emphasis on retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient should create jobs for general contractors, who are more likely to manage the renovation and upgrading of buildings than to oversee new large-scale construction projects.
Construction processes and building technology are becoming more complex, requiring greater oversight and spurring demand for specialized management personnel even as technology makes construction managers more productive.
			

                        Employment projections data for     construction managers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Construction managers**
			11-9021
			505,800
			528,700
			5
			22,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Construction managers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of construction managers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Architects**
            Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
            Bachelor's degree
            $93,310**Architectural and Engineering Managers**
            Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.
            Bachelor's degree
            $165,370**Civil Engineers**
            Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,890**Cost Estimators**
            Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to make a product or provide a service.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,740**Landscape Architects**
            Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces.
            Bachelor's degree
            $79,320**Project Management Specialists**
            Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.
            Bachelor's degree
            $98,580
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about construction manager certification, visit
American Institute of Constructors
For more information about construction management and construction manager certification, visit
Construction Management Association of America
For more information on accredited construction science and management educational programs, visit
ABET
American Council for Construction Education
NCCER
For information about opportunities for military veterans, visit
Helmets to Hardhats


                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Construction Managers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Construction Managers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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