Construction Manager: Job Description, Salary, Duties & More (2024)

Being a construction manager is one of the most important jobs within the construction industry.

You are in charge of managing all procedures within a construction project, keeping the business running smoothly from beginning to end.

This position comes with its own type of stress, but if you are skilled at time management and adjusting to the many needs of the role, this job may be exactly what you are looking for.

Construction Manager Information

Official Job Title	Construction Manager
Average Salary	$120,312
Stress Level	Above Average
Work/ Life	Below Average
Job Satisfaction	Below Average
Career Advancement	High

Construction Manager Job Description

What Is A Construction Manager?

A Construction Manager, also known as a Construction Supervisor, is exactly as it sounds.

It is the person in charge of budgeting, ensuring the use of quality materials, supervising, and signing off on many types of construction, including roads, buildings, and bridges used by millions of people every single day.

The comprehensive list of responsibilities can become stressful.

Many construction projects tend to be completed months or even years past the projected completion date, often causing you to work late hours and weekends.

What Does A Construction Manager Do On A Daily Basis?

Your daily routine as a Construction Manager often depends on how far along the construction project is.

The job’s primary focus is to ensure each process of the construction project is properly planned and find solutions to any issues that arise to keep the project on track and within budget.

You are also responsible for the employees and contractors working with you on the project and will be communicating with local authorities to acquire the proper permits.

Most likely, you’ll work from the main office at your company headquarters as well as have access to onsite offices at the site of the construction project.

Responsibilities, Duties & Roles Of A Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee entire construction projects.

So, your responsibilities include planning with the design team to create a cost estimation and budget and choosing and tracking inventory of materials and tools used.

More duties include overseeing employees and contractors, establishing risk and safety factors, ensuring the project is compliant with all building regulations, obtaining the required licensing and permits for the project, and preparing regular progress reports.

Construction Manager Salary

Average Salary

The average national salary of a Construction Manager is $120,312 and can range from $104,044 to as high as $137,479.

Starting Salary

Starting salaries vary depending on the city and state in which the construction company is located, but the average nationwide is $61,063.

Senior Salary

A Senior Construction Manager’s salary starts around $158,095 and can lead to several upper levels of construction management.

For instance, a Construction Manager IV has a salary of $138,232, and a Senior Vice President of Construction Management has an average salary of $177,371.

How To Become A Construction Manager

The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree

To become a Construction Manager you will first need a high school diploma or GED to get into a university with a bachelor’s program specializing in construction management.

It is recommended during your time as a student to work as an intern at a construction company to gain construction management experience while you earn your degree.

Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications

After you have graduated with your Bachelor’s degree and have gained some experience in the field, you will want to become a Certified Construction Manager.

To achieve this certification you will need four years of construction management experience and must take an exam.

You must reapply every three years to keep your certification updated.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Construction Manager?

According to most websites, it takes at least 6-8 years to become a Certified Construction Manager.

Is It Hard To Become A Construction Manager?

Be advised that it is a lengthy and difficult process to become a Construction Manager.

You need several years of education, a substantial amount of work experience before starting, and certification.

Construction Manager Career Paths

The Construction Manager Roadmap

There are several steps on the ladder of construction management.

Although some levels may be skipped depending on job performance and positional needs, the roadmap for this position in order is as follows:

Construction Manager, Senior Construction Manager, Construction Manager IV, Deputy Director of Construction Management, Assistant Vice President of Construction Management, Vice President of Construction Management, Senior Vice President of Construction Management, and Chief Construction Manager.

Projections For Growth In Construction Manager Jobs

According to many websites, the need for Construction Managers is expected to increase by 8%, which is about as fast as the average.

This is due to the continually growing population and businesses becoming environmentally friendly, requiring eco-friendly updates to commercial and industrial buildings and structures.

In Summary: Is Construction Manager A Good Career?

Overall, Construction Management can be a rewarding career.

The growing need for Construction Managers will give you a high likelihood of employment should you decide to go through the somewhat extensive process of achieving the necessary education and certifications.

The salary and vast growth opportunities make this career a great choice for people who enjoy managing a diverse team, are detail-oriented while keeping an eye on the big picture, and can multitask various responsibilities professionally and efficiently.

Working Conditions

Can A Construction Manager Work Remotely From Home?

Currently, there are over 500 jobs relating to construction management available online, offering work-from-home opportunities.

Although you may be required to travel to the job site at some point for a short time, you won’t have much trouble finding open positions, and applying online makes the process easy to do.

How Many Hours Does A Construction Manager Work?

Most Construction Managers work more than the typical 40 hours per week, with an average of them working 10-12 hour workdays leading to a full 50 hours per week.

These hours can get even longer for Construction Managers trying to catch up to meet a deadline, often extending to 60-80 hours a week, sometimes including weekends.

Can A Construction Manager Work Part-Time?

Some companies offer part-time Construction Management, however, according to several job posting sites as of October 2021, most companies prefer their Construction Managers to be full-time.

What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Construction Manager?

Most construction companies offer the usual two weeks of vacation time to start, with several offering additional hours for each year you remain with the company.

Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Construction Manager

Construction Manager Resume Tips

Below are some important things to keep in mind when preparing to submit your resume for a Construction Manager position:

Be extremely detailed in describing your education and work experience within the construction industry.
Highlight your abilities regarding managing people, organizing tasks, planning projects, and creating profitable budgets.
Add proof of your Certified Construction Manager documentation.
Include accomplishments and examples of personal and professional process improvements you’ve performed to make yourself stand out.

Construction Manager Interview Questions

Here are three common questions an interviewer may ask you in an interview for this career and why they work.

Q1: Give an example of a difficult or failing project and how you changed the outcome. Give examples of the direction you took instead.

Why it works: This question is great because it gives the applicant an opportunity to describe how they turned a difficult experience around.

Also, it provides the interviewer insight into how the applicant would handle an overwhelming and stressful experience.

Q2: What sizes and types of projects have you managed?

Why it works: This question helps the interviewer determine how well the applicant knows the Construction Management role and get an idea of the range of people and tasks they’ve successfully managed.

Q3: What would you do if you disagreed with your supervisor’s decision? How would you approach their supervisor with your opinion?

Why it works: Here is a question that can allow you to demonstrate professionalism and respect towards your business superiors.

For the interviewer, it’s a good way to determine the candidate’s moral compass and anticipate how you would deal with potential conflict within the workplace.

Jobs Related To Construction Manager

Construction Engineer
Construction Project Manager
Facilities Manager
Site Engineer
Building Surveyor
Sustainability Consultant
Foreman

For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring A Construction Manager

Key Characteristics To Look For In A Construction Manager

A quality Construction Manager should have at least four years of experience in construction management and be well-educated on the ins and outs of the construction industry.

They should be communicative and professional as they will be supervising and conversing with several different professionals during the entire construction management process.

Reliable Construction Managers should also be able to carefully plan and see the entire project through while diffusing any issues that arise.

Minimum Level Of Education & Experience

The minimum requirement of education for a Construction Manager should be a Bachelor’s degree, as it is a critical step in becoming certified.

The minimum amount of experience suggested for this role is four years, which is why an internship during your time as a student is highly encouraged.

Of course, any exceptions to this rule may be determined by the company requesting applicants.

References/Works Cited

CareerExplorer. “Are Construction Managers Happy?” Careerexplorer.com, CareerExplorer, 11 Apr. 2017, www.careerexplorer.com/careers/construction-manager/satisfaction/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
CollegeGrad. “Entry Level Salary for Construction Managers.” Collegegrad.com, 2021, collegegrad.com/salaries/construction-manager. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“Construction Manager Interview Questions.” Glassdoor, 2020, www.glassdoor.com/Interview/construction-manager-interview-questions-SRCH_KO0,20.htm. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“Construction Manager Job Description [Updated for 2021].” Indeed.com, 2021, www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/construction-manager. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“How to Become a Construction Manager (a Step by Step Guide).” OwlGuru.com – Find a Career You Love, 11 Aug. 2020, www.owlguru.com/career/construction-managers/requirements/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“How to Become a Construction Manager: Career, Salary & Training.” Vocational Training, 2018, www.vocationaltraininghq.com/how-to-become/construction-manager/#How_to_Become. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“Salary: Construction Manager | Glassdoor.” Glassdoor, 2020, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/construction-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
Site built by: Salary.com. “Construction Manager I.” Salary.com, 2021, www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/construction-manager-i-salary. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
Tope Femi Okuntade. “Stress Management in the Construction Industry-Coping Strategies for Project Managers.” ResearchGate, unknown, 2015, www.researchgate.net/publication/308964463_Stress_Management_In_The_Construction_Industry-Coping_Strategies_For_Project_Managers. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“What Does a Construction Manager Do in His Daily Work?” PlanRadar, 9 Sept. 2021, www.planradar.com/us/what-does-a-construction-manager-do/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.
“Working as a Construction Manager: Real Insights.” Glassdoor.com, 2021, www.glassdoor.com/Career/construction-manager-insights_KO0,20.htm. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.