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Construction Managers

General Information

Description

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.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit57.23%
  2. Self-employed38.72%
  3. State and local government2.29%
  4. Private, not for profit0.91%
  5. Federal government0.64%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 41,500 openings for construction managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 41,500 openings for construction managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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    • Construction Managers
      • Construction managers provide construction, survey and design, and electrical engineering expertise across a broad spectrum of construction operations in a variety of units. They coordinate and plan the development and support of military construction programs and maintain technical liaison with systems commands and fleet commands on facilities logistic problems. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Surveying, Mapping, and Drafting Technicians
      • Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians help determine, describe, and record geographic areas or features. They conduct land surveys, take measurements, make maps, and prepare detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. They are sometimes called upon to provide maps and surveys that locate military targets and help plot troop movements. These technicians play key roles in the collection and analysis of geospatial information. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Welders and Metal Workers
      • Welders and metal workers deal with shaping, brazing, soldering, and forming metals to aid in different construction efforts that serve military missions worldwide. They install sheet metal products, such as roofs, air ducts, gutters, and vents. They also create custom parts to repair the structural components of ships, tanks, submarines, landing craft, buildings, and equipment. These enlisted workers use a wide range of skills, processes, and tools. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Civil Engineers
      • Civil engineers oversee the repair, maintenance, and operation of heavy equipment. They execute construction, operation, and repair of structures and facilities. Responsibilities of a civil engineer also include clearing and emplacing obstacles such as minefields. There are a variety of civil engineering disciplines, all of which play a rewarding role in military operations. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Construction Equipment Operators
      • Construction equipment operators control or manage the use of bulldozers, cranes, graders, drilling rigs, and other heavy equipment in military construction. They manage daily activities devoted to the construction and maintenance of concrete and asphalt runways, structural systems and wooden, masonry, metal, and concrete buildings, aircraft parking aprons, and roads. They direct and coordinate the efforts of crews in the use of earth moving, quarrying, well digging, mixing, asphalt batching, and paving equipment. They also oversee demolition efforts and ensure adherence to environmental regulations. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Construction Specialists
      • Construction specialists perform and manage the construction of buildings, bridges, foundations, utility systems, dams, and bunkers. They manage, construct, repair, and modify structural systems and wooden, masonry, metal, and concrete buildings. They also oversee bridge building, rafting, and river crossing operations to coordinate the building of structures during combat. Construction specialists must have a working knowledge of carpentry and masonry. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Facilities Managers
      • Facilities managers plan for base realignment and closure; identify facility requirements; oversee operation, maintenance, and repair budgets; and supervise those performing construction, repair, and maintenance duties. They may participate in new construction final acceptance inspection. Navigate to Military Career Page
    • Plumbers and Pipefitters
    • Industrial Engineers
      • Industrial engineers perform research and development to determine the most effective ways for the Military to use its people and equipment. They conduct studies and oversee projects to optimize the use of time, money, materials, energy, and other resources. These professionals create engineering processes to improve the efficiency and productivity of military operations. They also apply analysis and assessment methods to problems related to strategic planning, acquisitions, and mission support. They build models and simulations to test existing and proposed systems. Navigate to Military Career Page
No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$98,890

Military salary*

$81,094

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$130,070
$59,970
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 90%
  • High school 5%
  • Associate's degree 5%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction
  • Administration and Management
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Design

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.