What Construction Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Construction Managers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems"; "Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems"; "Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites"; "Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations"; "Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Construction Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 609,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 664,300 in 2035, an increase of 55,200 jobs (+9.1%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 49,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 37.6% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $114,990, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Construction Managers earn the most
Across the 7 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $101,311 in Texas to $152,647 in New York, a gap of $51,337 (1.51 times). 4 of those 7 states average above the BLS national median of $114,990 and 3 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 57,160, which is 32.6% of the 175,570 counted across them. California follows with 33,860.
Highest-paying states
New York ($152,647), New Jersey ($148,943) and California ($136,381) lead the ranking, while Texas ($101,311) and Indiana ($112,784) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Construction Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 8 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $79,726. The smallest margin is $54,377 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 8 of the 8 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 16.1% and 31.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Construction Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-9000) include Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers and Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary.
Frequently asked questions about Construction Managers
What is the national median wage for Construction Managers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $114,990. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $101,311 to $152,647.
Which state pays Construction Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $152,647. New Jersey is next at $148,943.
What is the job outlook for Construction Managers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 9.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 49,700 openings a year.
What education do Construction Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Construction Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $79,726 on a median wage of $158,000.