Question 1

Construction Manager vs. General Contractor

Accepted Answer

A construction manager is a general contractor with an expanded set of responsibilities and a different financial incentive structure, while a general contractor is a person in charge of the day-to-day onsite operation of a construction project.

Question 2

Construction Manager vs. Project Manager

Accepted Answer

A construction manager oversees onsite operations such as personnel, materials, and the construction budget, while a project manager oversees all phases of the project including marketing and administrative needs.

Question 3

General Contractor vs. Construction Manager

Accepted Answer

A general contractor is a person in charge of the day-to-day onsite operation of a construction project, while a construction manager is a general contractor with an expanded set of responsibilities and a different financial incentive structure.

Question 4

How long does it take to become a construction manager?

Accepted Answer

It takes four to eight years to become a certified construction manager, on average. It will typically take four years with a bachelor's degree and eight years without to achieve the certification needed to officially become a Construction Manager.

Question 5

How much does it cost to start a construction company?

Accepted Answer

The average cost to start a construction company is anywhere from $50,000 for a small business to $500,000 for a larger construction business. There are many one-time costs and ongoing expenses for a construction company. Startup costs include licenses, permits, insurance, marketing, software, field labor, equipment, and tools.

Question 6

How much education do you need to be a construction manager?

Accepted Answer

The minimum educational requirement for a construction manager is an associate's degree from a community college or trade school. While getting a four-year bachelor's degree is going to set a person up for quicker early success, it is possible to become a Construction Manager without one.

Question 7

How to be a construction manager without a degree

Accepted Answer

To be a construction manager without a degree, you will need to complete extensive on-the-job training and gain experience while working. Most construction managers will hold at least a bachelor's degree, so if you pursue a career without one, you will need to make up for the education that many others hold.

Most companies will not hire you to become a construction manager unless you have 10 to 15 years of experience. You can gain this experience working on-site first as a construction worker and then up. Typically, new construction managers will be hired in assistant roles working under an experienced manager. This process can last two years.

It is important to note that not holding a degree may limit your career choices, as there are some companies that will not hire any construction managers who do not hold degrees. However, experience and expertise can still put you in a good spot for finding and keeping a position, especially if you are a great networker.

There are also certifications available that can be beneficial for potential construction managers. These can help accelerate your training and make you a more desirable candidate. There are also certifications that can be earned throughout your career as a construction manager.

Question 8

How to start a construction business

Accepted Answer

You will want to make a business plan, obtain the required permits, and obtain the necessary equipment. Before beginning work, you will also need to make sure that you have set up a business account for all financial aspects of the company.

Question 9

Is it hard to become a construction manager?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not hard to become a construction manager, but it takes hard work and the right skill set to be successful. While it is not hard to become a construction manager, this career is a lot of hard work, which requires a person who is really eager to dig in to be successful.

Question 10

What are careers in construction management?

Accepted Answer

Field engineers, construction superintendents, and construction managers are careers in construction management. Here are descriptions of these careers and others in construction management:

Question 11

What is the career path for a construction manager?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a construction manager involves jobs as a construction worker, construction supervisor, and construction manager.

A construction manager's career path is fairly straightforward in terms of education, professional experience, helpful certifications, and different construction-based roles. Here is a look at each of these facets for a construction manager:

Question 12

What qualifications do you need to be a construction manager?

Accepted Answer

The basic qualifications needed to be a construction manager are generally a bachelor's degree in construction management and four years of experience to become certified. These basic educational qualifications are fairly straightforward to meet.

Question 13

What is a good starting salary for a Construction Manager?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a construction manager is $53,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a construction manager in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for construction managers is $85,299, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a construction manager can vary by state.

Question 14

Do construction managers get paid well?

Accepted Answer

Yes, construction managers get paid well. While their salary is dependent on company size, location, and experience level, the average salary for a Construction Manager is almost $100,000 annually.

Question 15

How much does a construction manager make a week?

Accepted Answer

The average weekly pay for a construction manager is about $1,500. However, the highest earners can make over $2000 a week, and the lowest earners typically make around $1,300 in weekly pay.

Question 16

Is a construction manager a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a construction manager is a good job. The position of a construction manager is ranked number one in the field of construction and is highly ranked overall.

Construction management is a growing field that requires individuals who are flexible thinkers and problem solvers. As a construction manager, you'll have a rewarding career as a leader, analyzer, and negotiator.

Question 17

Can a construction manager make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a construction manager. The chances of earning over $100k for a construction manager are actually pretty good because the highest-paid construction manager positions typically pay at least $134,000 per year. The average annual salary is $85,299 for construction manager jobs. For example, construction managers in Hawaii whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $179,000.

Question 18

What percentage of Construction Managers are female?

Accepted Answer

9.0% of construction managers are female in the United States. This is 1.0 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female construction managers has increased by 1.0 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 21,119 female construction managers in the U.S. and 213,546 male construction managers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 234,665 people with the specific job title of construction manager and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 19

How do I write a resume for a construction manager job?

Accepted Answer

You write a resume for a construction manager job by showcasing your construction and project planning experience, as well as your leadership and problem-solving skills.

The resume itself (from the profile summary to the experience and skills section) should tell a story of how you have successfully managed construction projects.

Question 20

How do you list a construction project on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You list a construction project on a resume in several ways - including by describing skills and achievements gained from the project, within the work experience section, listed under accomplishments, or in a separate personal projects section.

Question 21

What are the duties of a construction manager?

Accepted Answer

The duties of a construction manager are to be responsible for overseeing all the logistics of a construction project. These duties may include creating work schedules for your team and allocating responsibilities. A construction manager may also be required to conduct site visits and report to senior managers on project progress.

Question 22

What is a good objective for a construction resume?

Accepted Answer

A good objective for a construction resume is a concise summary covering your role in construction, highlighting your skills and accomplishments, and stating your career goals.

In construction, it's all about having the right tool for the job. Consider your objective summary to be one of your most important tools in landing your dream construction job.

Question 23

How to manage a construction project

Accepted Answer

To manage a construction project, you must understand the project's scope, develop and maintain a schedule, and know your workers. The first rule of managing a project is knowing the scope. You should have a full plan of what you are doing before you begin working. That way, everything is focused and going towards the goal.

Question 24

What do entry-level construction managers do?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level construction managers oversee worksites, conduct meetings, and plan projects. Typically, before beginning work, construction managers have completed a bachelor's degree and have experience working in different areas of construction.

Question 25

What does a construction manager do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

A construction manager participates in project planning and coordination, manages and supervises a construction team, and communicates with stakeholders of a construction project on a daily basis. Here are some details on the common daily activities of a construction manager:

Question 26

What is the highest-paid construction job?

Accepted Answer

The highest-paid construction job is an elevator and escalator installer or repairer. These positions are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing the elevators, lifts, escalators, and moving walkways that you see in hotels, office buildings, and airports.

Frequently asked questions about construction managers

Questions about becoming a construction manager