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.
Also called: Bridges and Buildings Supervisor, Commercial Construction Project Manager, Commercial Construction Superintendent, Commercial Superintendent, Concrete Foreman, Construction Area Manager
Median pay
$114,990
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$69,690 – $189,440
People employed
380,360
Holland code
ECR
Enterprising · Conventional · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 4.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 5.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
Construction Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What construction managers do
- 01Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
- 02Develop or implement quality control programs.
- 03Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- 04Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
- 05Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
- 06Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Stress Tolerance
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 4 years, up to and including 10 years.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from construction managers
- Industrial Production Managers84% · +10%
- General and Operations Managers81% · −8%
- Facilities Managers79% · −7%
- Civil Engineers79% · −12%
- Geothermal Production Managers78% · group pay
Change into construction managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Industrial Production Managers87% · $126,060
- Cost Estimators86% · $78,740
- General and Operations Managers84% · $105,770
- Civil Engineers80% · $100,840
- Facilities Managers80% · $106,660
Majors that lead here
- Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
- Public Works Management
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Construction Management, General
- Construction Project Management
- Construction Management, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.