Construction manager
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
Quick facts: Construction manager | |
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2020 Median Pay | 97,180 per year; $46.72 per hour |
Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
Number of Jobs, 2019 | 476,700 |
Employment Change, 2019-29 | 40,400 |
This role coordinates the entire construction process, including overseeing the day-to-day operations of the project and maintaining communications between all parties. They select, hire, and oversee the specialty trade contractors. Sometimes called a contractor or general contractor, construction management professionals typically work for either a construction management firm or a general contractor.
On a green building project, the construction manager is responsible for ensuring that onsite processes are environmentally friendly and that the contractors hired have knowledge of green building techniques. An important part of a construction manager’s role is ensuring that the sustainable features on the project drawings are implemented and that the plans for waste management and indoor air quality during construction are properly implemented. Additionally, construction managers are responsible for scheduling, budgeting, job site management and safety, subcontractor management, and installation activities.
Many construction managers have a main office but spend most of their time working out of a field office at a construction site, where they monitor the project and make daily decisions about construction activities. The need to meet deadlines and respond to emergencies often requires construction managers to work many hours.
Role on a LEED project
LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
The LEED credits this role influences most:
How to become a construction manager
Construction managers typically must have a bachelor’s degree and learn management techniques through on-the-job training. Large construction firms increasingly prefer candidates with both construction experience and a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field.
Useful skills for construction managers include decision-making, leadership, technical, time management, verbal and written communications, analytical, and business.
Exploration tools
- Education courses
- Be a Green Builder
- LEED for General Contractors & Construction Managers
- LEED for Suppliers
- LEED v4 Project Teams
- Constructing Change: The Contractor's Commitment
- LEED v4.1 SSp1 Construction Pollution Prevention
- The Highs and Lows of Construction & Demolition Waste
- Playlist: Key concepts for Contractors and Builders
- Professional certifications and credentials
- LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C)
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Knowledge-based badges
- Activities
- Attend upcoming events related to construction management careers
- Connect with companies that work in this field
Green building profile: Construction manager