Learn About Being a Construction Manager - Skills To Get Ahead In Your Career

Contents

What does a construction manager do?

A construction manager oversees all aspects related to a construction project from early planning to completion. They also ensure the project costs stay within the agreed budgets. Other tasks a construction manager may perform include:

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Negotiating all project-related costs
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Making sure the construction team uses the appropriate procedures and work methods
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Reporting all project-related developments to the clients, keeping them updated on the work progress
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Communicating with all building and construction professionals, such as engineers and architects, to make sure everyone performs well as a team and focuses on the final result
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Coordinating all onsite activities and personnel
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Hiring and training all required workers and subcontractors
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Ensuring the project’s compliance with all legal requirements, such as safety codes and environmental regulations

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Negotiating all project-related costs

Making sure the construction team uses the appropriate procedures and work methods

Reporting all project-related developments to the clients, keeping them updated on the work progress

Communicating with all building and construction professionals, such as engineers and architects, to make sure everyone performs well as a team and focuses on the final result

Coordinating all onsite activities and personnel

Hiring and training all required workers and subcontractors

Ensuring the project’s compliance with all legal requirements, such as safety codes and environmental regulations

Average salary

Most construction managers work in full-time positions, either independently or for a construction company. Salaries for construction managers depend on several factors such as previous relevant work experience, project size and geographical location. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link.

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Common salary in the U.S.: .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}$96,659 per year.css-r5jz5s{width:1.5rem;height:1.5rem;color:inherit;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;height:1em;width:1em;margin:0 0 0.25rem 0.25rem;vertical-align:middle;}
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Some salaries range from $17,000 to $175,000 per year.

Common salary in the U.S.: .css-1v152rs{border-radius:0;color:#2557a7;font-family:”Noto Sans”,”Helvetica Neue”,”Helvetica”,”Arial”,”Liberation Sans”,”Roboto”,”Noto”,sans-serif;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);transition:border-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-style 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-bottom-width 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),border-radius 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1),color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);border-bottom:1px solid;cursor:pointer;}.css-1v152rs:hover{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:active{color:#0d2d5e;}.css-1v152rs:focus{outline:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:transparent;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 0 0 1px;}.css-1v152rs:focus:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}.css-1v152rs:hover,.css-1v152rs:active{color:#164081;}.css-1v152rs:visited{color:#2557a7;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1v152rs{-webkit-transition:none;transition:none;}}.css-1v152rs:focus:active:not([data-focus-visible-added]){box-shadow:none;border-bottom:1px solid;border-radius:0;}$96,659 per year.css-r5jz5s{width:1.5rem;height:1.5rem;color:inherit;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;height:1em;width:1em;margin:0 0 0.25rem 0.25rem;vertical-align:middle;}

Some salaries range from $17,000 to $175,000 per year.

Construction manager requirements

A successful construction manager needs a good amount of education, experience, training and advanced skills.

Education

Becoming a construction manager typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, engineering or architecture. Graduates will gain knowledge in vital aspects of construction management, including developing and controlling a building project, construction methods and required materials, design, estimating building costs and maintaining building codes.

Alternatively, many colleges offer two-year associate’s degree programs for construction management and construction technology. If you want to work exclusively on small projects, you may be able to become a construction manager with an associate’s degree and a few years of relevant experience. You can also choose to pursue a master’s degree in construction management if you want to advance your career further.

Training

An aspiring construction manager will typically first work as an assistant for an experienced construction manager. By working under the guidance of an experienced professional for several years, you will get a better understanding of all aspects involved in construction management.

Certifications

Certifications enable construction professionals to prove their qualifications to current and future employers. Although typically not required, certifications for construction managers act as further proof to the client that they have all the skills, knowledge and experience needed to handle a major construction project. Here are two certifications that you can get as a construction manager:

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Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Awarded by the Construction Management Association of America, this certification demonstrates to potential employers and clients that a construction manager has enough education, experience and knowledge to oversee a construction project, stay within the agreed budget and deliver quality work on time.
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Associate Constructor Certification: Issued by The American Institute of Constructors, this certification offers a useful way for recent graduates of four-year Construction Management college programs to prove their skills and knowledge.

Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Awarded by the Construction Management Association of America, this certification demonstrates to potential employers and clients that a construction manager has enough education, experience and knowledge to oversee a construction project, stay within the agreed budget and deliver quality work on time.

Associate Constructor Certification: Issued by The American Institute of Constructors, this certification offers a useful way for recent graduates of four-year Construction Management college programs to prove their skills and knowledge.

Skills

A successful construction manager needs a solid combination of hard and soft skills to successfully perform this role. The most important skills include:

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Technical skills: A successful construction manager needs to be familiar with all the methods, materials and technologies involved in each project. Due to their regular interaction with architects and legal professionals, a construction manager should also have the technical skills required to understand legal documents and technical drawings.
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Analytical skills: As a construction manager, you will develop complex plans and strategies. You will also solve all unexpected problems, issues and delays that may occur. This requires an analytical mind that can quickly and efficiently scan a certain situation and come up with the most cost-effective and timely solution.
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Communication: The role of the construction manager involves daily communication with workers, clients, architects, engineers and other involved parties. Strong communication skills are essential when keeping everyone well-informed, synchronized and focused.
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Decision-making: Construction managers constantly make decisions involving all aspects of a project, which could include hiring and dismissing personnel and making sure every part of the project is being completed appropriately.
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Business: Managing a construction project is similar in many ways to running a business. The manager needs to hire the right people for each specific job, negotiate contracts and maintain good relationships with contractors, clients and city officials.
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Time management: All building projects have strict deadlines for every phase of the construction. The construction manager must ensure all these deadlines are met, as starting work on one phase typically requires the team to finish other phases of the project first.
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Leadership: As they often need to delegate tasks to other staff members, successful construction managers must gain the respect of everyone involved in the building process.

Technical skills: A successful construction manager needs to be familiar with all the methods, materials and technologies involved in each project. Due to their regular interaction with architects and legal professionals, a construction manager should also have the technical skills required to understand legal documents and technical drawings.

Analytical skills: As a construction manager, you will develop complex plans and strategies. You will also solve all unexpected problems, issues and delays that may occur. This requires an analytical mind that can quickly and efficiently scan a certain situation and come up with the most cost-effective and timely solution.

Communication: The role of the construction manager involves daily communication with workers, clients, architects, engineers and other involved parties. Strong communication skills are essential when keeping everyone well-informed, synchronized and focused.

Decision-making: Construction managers constantly make decisions involving all aspects of a project, which could include hiring and dismissing personnel and making sure every part of the project is being completed appropriately.

Business: Managing a construction project is similar in many ways to running a business. The manager needs to hire the right people for each specific job, negotiate contracts and maintain good relationships with contractors, clients and city officials.

Time management: All building projects have strict deadlines for every phase of the construction. The construction manager must ensure all these deadlines are met, as starting work on one phase typically requires the team to finish other phases of the project first.

Leadership: As they often need to delegate tasks to other staff members, successful construction managers must gain the respect of everyone involved in the building process.

Construction manager work environment

Construction managers typically work in out-of-office surroundings on construction sites. Many of them handle multiple projects simultaneously, meaning that they will need to regularly travel between different construction sites. Given that many available projects are not necessarily in the construction manager’s city of residence, the position often requires temporary relocation to another city, state or even another country.

The majority of construction managers work full-time hours, with many situations requiring working extra hours. Because of their role as supervisors during entire construction projects, they may need to respond to emergencies, which could occur late at night or very early in the morning. Like others in construction roles, they must wear the required protective gear when working on-site.

How to become a construction manager

Here are the steps you can take to become a construction manager:

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Earn a bachelor’s degree in construction management or a related field. Although small projects can sometimes be handled by construction managers with two-year associate degrees and relevant work experience, earning a bachelor’s degree is vital for working on large-scale building projects.
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Gain the required training and experience. The best way to get practical experience after graduating is by working under an experienced construction manager. Trainees will typically need to complete at least a few years of such experience before being considered for roles as construction managers.
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Get certified. Getting a certification can be a good addition to your work experience and education, as it proves you have all the theoretical skills necessary to become a successful construction manager.
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Earn a master’s degree in construction management. A master’s degree is not mandatory, but it can help you gain more insight into all the aspects of the job and increase your chances of working on high-level projects.

Earn a bachelor’s degree in construction management or a related field. Although small projects can sometimes be handled by construction managers with two-year associate degrees and relevant work experience, earning a bachelor’s degree is vital for working on large-scale building projects.

Gain the required training and experience. The best way to get practical experience after graduating is by working under an experienced construction manager. Trainees will typically need to complete at least a few years of such experience before being considered for roles as construction managers.

Get certified. Getting a certification can be a good addition to your work experience and education, as it proves you have all the theoretical skills necessary to become a successful construction manager.

Earn a master’s degree in construction management. A master’s degree is not mandatory, but it can help you gain more insight into all the aspects of the job and increase your chances of working on high-level projects.

Construction manager job description example

Our contracting company is involved in several residential construction and remodeling projects, and we hold an emphasis on environmental standards. We are looking for an experienced Construction Manager with similar values and beliefs who can use all their expertise in overseeing our green building initiatives. Experience with both new construction and environmentally conscious remodeling practices is highly preferred. The successful applicant will be responsible for several projects at once and will report directly to our senior management team.

The right candidate will have the following qualifications:

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A bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, engineering or architecture
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At least five years of experience in a construction-related field
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Relevant certification is preferred

A bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, engineering or architecture

At least five years of experience in a construction-related field

Relevant certification is preferred

Related careers

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