Construction Managers
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
Is construction managers a good career?
It scores 38/100 and ranks #77 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($114,990 vs $61,390)
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+8.7% through 2034)
- High volume of openings — about 46,800 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What construction managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. construction managers earn between $88,550 and $151,640 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live construction managers jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
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.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some states require construction managers to be licensed.
Professional certification, although not required, demonstrates a particular level of knowledge and experience.
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.
Related occupations
How much do construction managers make?
The national median wage is $114,990 a year, with the middle half earning between $88,550 and $151,640 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is construction managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 38 of 100 and ranks #77 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +8.7% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a construction manager?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do construction managers earn the most?
Among states, New York pays the highest median ($155,360). Local pay for every state and metro is below.