Construction Managers
SOC code 11-9021 · O*NET-SOC 11-9021.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Construction management is one of the few high-paying management careers reachable without a degree — many managers rise from the trades — though bachelor's programs are increasingly common. Pay tracks project size and sector.
Construction Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$114,990
a year
Hourly
$55.28
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$124,360
$59.79 per hour
Middle 50%
$88,550 – $151,640
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$69,690 – $189,440
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
380,360
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $69,690
- $33.50/hr
- 25th percentile
- $88,550
- $42.57/hr
- Median percentile
- $114,990
- $55.28/hr
- 75th percentile
- $151,640
- $72.91/hr
- 90th percentile
- $189,440
- $91.08/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
550,300
jobs in 2024
598,400
projected for 2034
About 48,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a construction manager do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a construction manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 40% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree40%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15%
- Some College Courses10%
Common questions
How much does a construction manager earn?
The national median is $114,990 a year. The full range runs from $69,690 at the 10th percentile to $189,440 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a construction manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is construction manager in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.7/5
- Administration and Management4.3/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Mechanical3.8/5
- Production and Processing3.8/5
- Economics and Accounting3.8/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management.