How to hire a construction manager

How to hire a construction manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step construction manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a construction manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new construction manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a construction manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your construction manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a construction manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A construction manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, construction managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of construction manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Construction Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Construction Manager	Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.	$25-57
   General Superintendent	A general superintendent is primarily in charge of overseeing projects and programs, ensuring operations adhere to standards and requirements. In the construction industry, a general superintendent supervises the daily procedures in a construction site to ensure the project's completion within budget, schedule, and quality standards... Show more	$25-51
   Superintendent	Superintendents oversee the administration of schools in a specific school district. They manage the educational programs of each school and create strategic decisions to ensure that the students are learning important subjects... Show more	$27-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Construction Management
   • Construction Projects
   • OSHA
   • Customer Service
   • Oversight
   • General Contractors
   • Real Estate
   • Quality Standards
   • Project Scope
   • Building Codes
   • Construction Process
   • Construction Schedule
   • Safety Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage three geotechnical engineers, a general contractor , 45 sub-contractors, and consultants.
   • Manage all contractor-relate tasks from RFI submissions through payment administration.
   • Manage and coordinate architects, structural engineers, MEP engineers and subcontractors technical departments.
   • Manage complete design and construction coordination of company's retail properties throughout the Washington/Baltimore area market.
   • Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, control inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
   • Implement and maintain construction safety regulations according to OSHA requirements, and ensure environmental protection regulatory compliance with engineering standards.

   More construction manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your construction manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A construction manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, construction managers' average salary in arkansas is 52% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level construction managers 55% less than senior-level construction managers.
   • Certifications. A construction manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a construction manager's salary.

   Average construction manager salary

   $81,313yearly

   $39.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level construction manager salary

   $54,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 2, 2026

   Average construction manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$111,703	$54
   2	Washington	$94,228	$45
   3	Oregon	$89,518	$43
   4	Nevada	$88,461	$43
   5	New York	$87,519	$42
   6	District of Columbia	$86,980	$42
   7	Maryland	$85,103	$41
   8	Maine	$82,280	$40
   9	Pennsylvania	$81,536	$39
   10	Massachusetts	$80,993	$39
   11	Arizona	$80,501	$39
   12	Michigan	$77,683	$37
   13	Virginia	$76,891	$37
   14	Utah	$74,135	$36
   15	Texas	$73,473	$35
   16	Ohio	$73,337	$35
   17	Wisconsin	$73,184	$35
   18	Illinois	$72,847	$35
   19	North Carolina	$71,927	$35
   20	Colorado	$71,431	$34

   Average construction manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$164,770	$79.22	100
   2	Microsoft	$146,722	$70.54	4
   3	Best Apartments	$137,214	$65.97
   4	Apple	$136,528	$65.64	4
   5	BP America Inc	$135,588	$65.19	1
   6	First National Realty	$133,683	$64.27
   7	Tishman	$128,260	$61.66
   8	Parsons	$126,110	$60.63	68
   9	Silverstein Properties	$121,388	$58.36
   10	Exxon Mobil	$121,120	$58.23	1
   11	American Tower	$120,410	$57.89	3
   12	Hawaii.com	$120,260	$57.82
   13	Chevron	$118,501	$56.97	1
   14	Applied Materials	$113,703	$54.66
   15	Black & Veatch	$112,522	$54.10	104
   16	Technip USA Corporation	$112,324	$54.00
   17	Prosum	$112,228	$53.96
   18	Fluor Corporation	$112,165	$53.93	42
   19	Crown Castle International	$111,792	$53.75	4
   20	Autodesk	$111,234	$53.48	1

4. Writing a construction manager job description

   A job description for a construction manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a construction manager job description:

   Construction manager job description example

   Join our Intel Fab Construction Enterprise (FCE) who builds the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing factories across the globe. The future is what we build.
   
   Our enterprise manages a portfolio of capital projects on-site with a large contractor workforce that encompasses outsourced general contractors, A/E Architecture and Engineering firms and key trade companies in the Semiconductor Construction Industry. The scope of our work includes but is not limited to Progressive Build, tool install and new factories and site infrastructure. We are looking for world class diverse technical talent to join our team. If you enjoy working with the latest technology in a rewarding, fast-paced environment, this is the right place for you. Everywhere you go, you'll find an opportunity to make a difference. In any given workday, you will be given responsibility to innovate and create an impact to our business.
   
   The WaTR (Water Treatment and Reclaim) Project Manage reports to the site-based Sr. Base build Program Manager and in this role the person will be accountable for all aspects of the leadership and management of the project team which includes supplier management, day to day operations, major project scope, schedule performance and budget monitoring and controls for Intel base build construction projects without impact to factory operations. This role is expected to make breakthroughs, driving Intel's construction capability to world class by sourcing and developing contractor companies, making significant changes in integrated construction solutions that result in best-in-class cost of construction. Intel's Water Treatment and Reclaim facilities are amongst the largest and most technologically advanced ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) facilities in the world. This job will include not only building the most advanced water treatment facilities but interacting with counterparts across the globe.
   
   This is a Temporary Intel Contract position and also on-site position, work will be performed in-person at the Chandler Arizona, Ocotillo Campus. Relocation assistance will be provided.
   
   As a WaTR (Water Treatment and Reclaim) Construction Project Manager your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
   
   Partner successfully with key stakeholders including factory employees, Corporate Service Operations, FCE (Fab Construction Enterprise) team, facility owners, global supply workers, central design, site construction, TD-Environmental and suppliers.Manage day to day construction operations (scope, schedule, budget) to ensure a safety-focused environment.Lead and successfully manage roadmaps for a wide spectrum of Water (treatment and reclaim) and Environmental projects to enable Intel businesses including new Fab modules.Ensure that the project is always in compliance with Construction Management Practices and to standard operating procedures. Lead and deliver FCE's environmental multi-year strategy and projects to ensure FCE's environmental goals.Influence and interface with stakeholders to develop and execute to environmental goals aligned to Intel's environmental strategy and targets in relation to construction requirements and plans.Develop world class supplier partnerships with leading sourcing and procurement solutions and deliver continuous improvements in business results, quality, schedule, and cost.Foster innovation and transform traditional construction practices by driving new methods and engineering solutions by leveraging industry insights to Intel's multidimensional challenges.Ensure sustainability, LEED Certification and other enabling capabilities are adopted to deliver innovative breakthroughs.Help transform to an organization that is lean, efficient, and collaborative.Deliver projects in a safe manner with uncompromising quality, on time and within schedule for world class results.Accountability and ownership of personal safety and the safety of the project.
   The successful candidate should exhibit the following behavioral traits:
   
   Skills to manage across diverse groups and stakeholders while optimizing the solution for Intel.Expertise to identify, analyze, and solve problems.Leadership and communication skills.Organized and detail-oriented.Understanding of project management processes and governance and control structures.Value for safety and a safe project environment
   
   Qualifications:
   You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates. Position not eligible for Intel immigration sponsorship.
   
   Minimum Qualifications:
   
   The candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental Engineering or related field with 2+ years of experience in construction or environmental related projects with a focus on water treatment or water remediation or water recycling or other related environmental projects.
   
   Preferred Qualifications:
   
   Project Management Professio
   
   Job Type:
   Intel Contract Employee
   
   Shift:
   Shift 1 (United States of America)
   
   Primary Location:
   US, Arizona, Phoenix
   
   Additional Locations:
   
   Intel strongly encourages employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Intel aligns to federal, state, and local laws and as a contractor to the U.S. Government is subject to government mandates that may be issued. Intel policies for COVID-19 including guidance about testing and vaccination are subject to change over time.
   
   Business group:
   As the world's largest chip manufacturer, Intel strives to make every facet of semiconductor manufacturing state-of-the-art -- from semiconductor process development and manufacturing, through yield improvement to packaging, final test and optimization, and world class Supply Chain and facilities support. Employees in the Technology Development and Manufacturing Group are part of a worldwide network of design, development, manufacturing, and assembly/test facilities, all focused on utilizing the power of Moore's Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth.
   
   Posting Statement:
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.
   
   Position of Trust
   N/A
   
   Work Model for this Role
   This role will require an on-site presence.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right construction manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with construction managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit construction managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your construction manager job on Zippia to find and recruit construction manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with construction manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new construction manager

   Once you've selected the best construction manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new construction manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a construction manager?