Management
Construction Managers
Also called: Concrete Foreman, Construction Area Manager, Construction Foreman, Construction Management Supervisor
US median pay
$114,990
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+9.1%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
49,700
609,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
- Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
- Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
- Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Management of Personnel Resources4.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.1/5
- Time Management4.0/5
- Coordination4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Negotiation3.9/5
- Systems Analysis3.6/5
- Management of Financial Resources3.6/5
Knowledge
- Building and Construction4.7/5
- Administration and Management4.2/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Engineering and Technology4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Mechanical3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree40%
- Post-secondary certificate15%
- High school diploma15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.