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Construction Managers

In the Construction Managers occupation, workers plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. O*NET rates it as considerable preparation, which usually means a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. It leans on management of personnel resources, judgment and decision making, and time management. A regular part of the work is to inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations. On the six-type interest model it reads ECR, meaning leading, persuading and making business decisions comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. People who want leading, persuading and making business decisions usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
  • Develop or implement quality control programs.
  • Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
  • Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
  • Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
  • Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.

Skills

  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Time Management
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on management of personnel resources and judgment and decision making.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.7 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECR takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Concrete Foreman
  • Construction Area Manager
  • Construction Foreman
  • Construction Management Supervisor
  • Construction Manager

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.