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.
Table of contents
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.
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.
My name is Jeff Becka. I’ve worked in the construction world for 26 years. I’m the General Manager of a fence installation company. My Typical Day 6:30AM My typical day starts at 6:30am. I prepare all of the jobs for the day. Material lists for each job along with the work orders for each crew. … Read More
As a project manager, no day looks the same compared to the last. I’m not only wearing many hats myself, but I’m also overseeing and involved in every aspect of a project from well before a contract has been signed by the client to the very last deliverable has been provided. Typically, an average workday … Read More
My typical day revolves around current project team check-ins and project progress. It involves connecting with clients on current bid opportunities and future bid events and technical work such as project invoicing, subcontracts, purchase orders, and vendor invoicing approvals. I check in with my boss to provide a daily update. Weekly, typical functions include owner/client … Read More
I am the owner and Project Manager at RenosGroup, a renovation company with over 35 years of experience. It is a family-owned and operated renovation team that is dedicated to making your house feel like home. Specializing in residential renovations, mobility renovations, and hand-holding the nervous homeowner, they cater to you and your every need. My … Read More
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 Typical Day My daily … 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 by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $169,070 | $81 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $128,860 | $62 |
| Median | $97,180 | $47 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $73,460 | $35 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $56,880 | $27 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Construction Managers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $138910 | $66.78 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $137330 | $66.03 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $132780 | $63.84 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $131560 | $63.25 |
| Telecommunications | $131280 | $63.12 |
| Real Estate | $130900 | $62.93 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $129720 | $62.37 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $128190 | $61.63 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $125360 | $60.27 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $125050 | $60.12 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Construction Managers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Construction Managers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 75270 | $106890 | $51.39 |
| Residential Building Construction | 47170 | $102330 | $49.20 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 33990 | $109800 | $52.79 |
| Utility System Construction | 17990 | $110640 | $53.19 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 17510 | $99150 | $47.67 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 14190 | $102180 | $49.13 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 12400 | $114540 | $55.07 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 10630 | $101870 | $48.97 |
| Local Government | 7820 | $101690 | $48.89 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 7670 | $119150 | $57.28 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
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 majors
Construction Management
Construction Project Management
Operations Management and Supervision
Business/Commerce
Business Administration and Management
Public Works Management
Construction Engineering Technology
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
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
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.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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