Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Construction Managers
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.
What they do
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.
- Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
- Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Construction Managers direct and supervise construction or related workers. They confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
A typical day for a Construction Manager will also include:
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- 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.
- Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.
- Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Construction Managers also prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports. They may also interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Construction Managers prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors. They might also determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
In addition, they implement new or modified plans in response to delays, bad weather, or construction site emergencies.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
To some Construction Managers, it is also their responsibility to inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with environmental regulations.
Freedom to make decisions
How much decision making freedom does this job offer?
Structured vs unstructured work
To what extent is this job structured for you versus allowing you to determine your own tasks, priorities, and goals?
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
74% said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they found their job meaningful.
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At our “Plan of the Day Meeting,” we review important safety and quality topics with all project staff, supervision, and subcontractor representation. We set expectations and create directives for the day ahead and discuss any outstanding engineering concerns or obstacles which need to be addressed to maintain the schedule. We review each trade set of … Read More
I would say you can describe my life as a construction manager in just a few short words, which would be demanding, rewarding, and teamwork. A project only fails or is successful because of the way that you’ve handled the project throughout. People are looking for answers from you all the time. You need to … Read More
Between planning, hiring, haggling over budgets and contracts, inspecting new construction and a plethora of other jobs, a Construction’s manager’s day often begins way before the rest of the world starts out. We’re typically the early birds. As a construction manager, getting a work-life balance is a delicate balance. More often than not, work-related challenges … Read More
I enjoy being a Construction Project Manager because I get to help people improve their homes and make their building dreams come true! However, my job requires that I am available 24/7, schedule projects properly, communicate effectively with the homeowner, suppliers, and subcontractors, and understand IRC and local building codes. My daily activities vary depending … Read More
You need to like people! A huge part of the job is meeting people with different backgrounds and skills and motivating them to give their best to the team. Through everyone working together efficiently and in harmony, you will deliver the construction of a new building. Being a Construction Manager gives a great variety and … Read More
As a construction manager who recently finished a house construction project from its foundation to its final fit and finishes including its interior design, here are my thoughts on what’s it like being a construction manager. As someone who always loved the idea of constructing new things and renovating old spaces into modern elegant and … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Construction Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $56,880 to $73,460 per year or $27 to $35 per hour.
| Salary range | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $81 | $169,070 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $62 | $128,860 |
| Middle (Mid 50%) | $47 | $97,180 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $35 | $73,460 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27 | $56,880 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
Work with group or team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Deal with external customers
How important is it to work with customers in this job?
Manage or lead others
How important is it to coordinate or lead others in completing work activities in this job?
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Frequency of conflict situations
How often are there conflict situations in this job?
Dealing with angry people
How often do you have to deal with angry, unpleasant, or discourteous individuals in this job?
Dealing with physically aggressive people
How often do you have to deal with physically aggressive people in this job?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
Repetition in this job
How important is repeating the same type of task over and over in this job?
Impact of decisions on co-workers or company results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Frequency of decision making
How frequently do you have to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the reputation of the company?
Responsibility for others’ health and safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
Responsibility for outcomes and results
How much responsibility is there for the work outcomes and results of other workers?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
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