Construction Management
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Construction management is a career field that entails the overseeing of construction and building projects. Construction managers are responsible for the directing, budgeting, planning, and organization of myriad types of endeavors oriented in construction, such as the building of every common type of structure (residential, commercial, and industrial), bridges, roads, educational facilities, medical facilities, and treatment plants for wastewater -- to name just a few. Whether the project is small or large, construction managers are enlisted to schedule all of the design and construction for their task; they also choose, hire, and manage construction staff and contractors such as carpenters, plumbers, or electricians. It's important to note that construction managers do not actually construct any part of the building or structure.
There are two main paths to becoming a construction manager: by experience, or by academic degree. Construction workers who have logged many years of hard work on dozens of sites can frequently move into this position, using their knowledge drawn directly from the field as their selling point. Conversely, hopefuls can pursue a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in a relevant field, such as building science or construction engineering. Certification is often required for construction managers, as it sifts the truly capable managers from those with more shallow skill sets. There is a huge boom anticipated in the number of construction management positions. What is more, this career path leads to a heavy annual pay load, with those at the peak of the profession earning salaries in the six-figure range.
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Career Specializations
- Residential Construction: These managers oversee the construction of private homes, with an emphasis on wrenching the most productivity from a frequently tight budget.
- Commercial Construction: Business projects and developments fall into this category, and managers here take special care to observe and adhere to all zoning codes and functionality details particular to these structures.
- Industrial Construction: Managers in this bracket handle warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution headquarters, focusing on the infusion of quality and durability into all aspects of construction.
- Large scale Construction: Some construction managers, especially those armed with master's degrees, are especially prepared to oversee sizable and sometimes sprawling projects.
Degree Levels
- Associate Degree in a Relevant Field: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree in a Relevant Field: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree in Construction Science or Construction Management: 2-3 years to complete
Education & Certification Requirements
More and more often, construction managers equipped with at least a bachelor's degree are winning jobs in construction management. The most relevant fields of study for this career path include civil engineering, construction management, construction science, or building science. But a degree alone is not normally sufficient for hiring; diploma holders must also demonstrate experience earned from work on construction sites. Construction workers, including craftspeople like electricians, carpenters, and plumbers, can use their huge amount of experience to launch a management career. They need to buttress this on-the-field experience, however, with class work or, more ideally, an associate degree in one of the previously mentioned subjects. Courses in an academic construction program hold titles such as building codes and standards, value analysis, and scheduling. Freshly minted bachelor's graduates without experience are often hired in apprentice-like positions, like cost estimators or field engineers, to earn more solid practical credentials.
Certification is not required in this field, but savvy management hopefuls secure it anyway so that their resumes stand out and are picked for the job more often. The American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America both offer certification programs well worth taking. Advancement in career management is possible for those with a combination of great experience and excellent schooling. With proper financing, some top-flight managers turn into entrepreneurs and work as independent consultants or heads of their own contracting firms. (BLS)
Salary Information
Salary for construction managers is well worth the toil and stress frequently endured on the job. With a bachelor's degree, those in this field already earn more than $50,000. More seasoned managers take home close to $80,000 in a single year. At the very highest echelon, construction managers can anticipate yearly earnings of nearly $150,000. Building equipment contractors and nonresidential construction managers perennially bring home the most in pay, with residential construction coming in a few thousand dollars less annually in salary. Entrepreneurs and self-employed managers' compensation could not be specifically retrieved. (BLS)
Job Outlook
Employment estimates for construction managers look set to increase in a major way into the future. By the year 2018, demand for jobs in the field will augment by 17 percent, above the average for all combined industries. Despite this boom in job possibilities, building construction is growing more complex in nature, and more sophisticated managers are needed to handle the innovations. Thus, a bachelor's or master's degree, coupled with great experience and certification, with a good dose of business acumen, is a surefire way to help ensure that a manager qualifies for an open position. (BLS)
Related Careers
Architects are closely related to construction managers. These professionals are the ones assigned with the task of devising and creating the plans or blueprints for new residences and buildings. Professional postgraduate education is required for this career, as is earning the proper licensing and certification. Budgeting and collaboration are just as important for architects as for their construction manager peers. The two job types also benefit from business sense and entrepreneurial tendencies.
