Construction Manager: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Construction Managers earn a national median of $106,980/yr with 8.7% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Building and Construction, Administration and Management, Mathematics.

Median Salary

$106,980

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

8.7%

Faster than average

Employed Nationally

348,330

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Construction Manager

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Construction Manager candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Judgment and Decision Making 2 Management of Personnel Resources 3 Active Listening 4 Critical Thinking 5 Coordination 6 Complex Problem Solving 7 Time Management 8 Reading Comprehension 9 Speaking 10 Active Learning

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Construction Manager performance, based on verified occupational data.

Building and Construction Administration and Management Mathematics Engineering and Technology Customer and Personal Service

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Construction Manager roles.

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Project Procore software Project management software Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 8.7% for Construction Manager roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
348,330
Projected Growth
8.7%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Construction Manager do?
Construction Managers apply expertise in Building and Construction, Administration and Management, Mathematics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening, Critical Thinking.
How much does a Construction Manager make?
The national median salary for a Construction Manager is $106,980 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Construction Manager a good career in 2026?
Employment for Construction Manager roles is projected to grow 8.7% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 348,330 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Construction Manager?
The typical entry-level education for a Construction Manager is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Construction Managers need?
The most important skills for Construction Manager roles based on verified occupational data: Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Learning. Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Project, Procore software.

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Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.