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Career overview · SOC 11-9021

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: Concrete Foreman · Construction Area Manager · Construction Foreman · Construction Management Supervisor · Construction Manager · Construction Services Manager

Median pay (national)
$106,980
$65,160–$176,990 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
348,330
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+8.7%
~46,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for construction managers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $176,990 versus $65,160 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $106,980 leaves roughly 65% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +8.7% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 46,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $147,750, +38% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $68,700 — a 115% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
  • Develop or implement quality control programs.
  • Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
  • Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
  • Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
  • Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
  • Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
  • Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
  • Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
  • Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Procore software
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
  • SAP software
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro
  • Yardi software
  • 3M Post-it App

Knowledge areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Administration and Management
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Mechanical
  • Production and Processing
  • Economics and Accounting