Which High Paying Jobs Are in the Construction Management Field?

Jobs in Construction Management

Construction managers oversee the planning, design, and budgeting of both small- and large-scale construction projects. In this role, you may work in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. This can include building or remodeling homes, developing office buildings and shopping centers, or managing large-scale projects like manufacturing and petroleum plants. Many of these roles are considered high paying careers, especially for professionals with experience and leadership responsibilities.

Opportunities exist within construction firms, but self-employment is also an option. Those who are self-employed often focus on smaller residential projects.

Construction management roles typically require a college degree along with relevant work experience. Certifications from professional organizations, such as the Construction Management Association of America and the American Institute of Constructors, are also becoming more common and can help you stand out in the field.

Important Facts About Construction Managers

• Work environment: Main office or field office at a construction site; industries include building construction, specialty trade contractors, and heavy and civil engineering
• Required education: Bachelor’s degree
• Similar occupations: Landscape architects, civil engineers, cost estimators, engineering managers
• Key skills: Technical knowledge, time management, customer service, analytical thinking, business skills, writing, leadership, initiative, communication, and decision-making

Salary Information

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction managers working on non-residential projects earned an average annual salary of $110,690 as of May 2021, while those in residential construction earned about $99,210.

Across all industries, salaries ranged from $60,050 for the lowest 10 percent to $163,800 for the highest 10 percent, with a median annual wage of $98,890.

Some of the highest-paying roles in this field are found in specialized industries. For example, construction managers working in pipeline transportation of natural gas earned an average annual salary of $209,940, while those in oil and gas extraction earned about $182,330.

Construction management directors typically earn more than managers. As of December 2022, directors in this field had an average annual salary of $162,346, according to Salary.com.

Employment Outlook

Job prospects in construction management are strong, partly because demand is outpacing the number of qualified professionals. Continued growth in the construction industry is expected to drive the need for skilled managers.

The BLS projects that employment for construction managers will grow by 8 percent between 2021 and 2031, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.