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Construction project engineer vs construction manager

The differences between construction project engineers and construction managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a construction project engineer, becoming a construction manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a construction manager has an average salary of $81,313, which is higher than the $68,635 average annual salary of a construction project engineer.

The top three skills for a construction project engineer include construction management, project management and construction materials. The most important skills for a construction manager are project management, construction management, and construction projects.

Construction project engineer vs construction manager overview

Construction Project EngineerConstruction Manager
Yearly salary$68,635$81,313
Hourly rate$33.00$39.09
Growth rate7%8%
Number of jobs66,14744,431
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4146
Years of experience68

What does a construction project engineer do?

A construction project engineer specializes in performing technical work while coordinating clients, managers, subcontractors, and suppliers, ensuring efficient and safe operations. Moreover, their responsibilities revolve around reviewing overall construction plans and blueprints, delegating tasks, gathering data, producing progress reports, developing project objectives, and monitoring construction progress while prioritizing the budget and deadlines. They may also control project plans, assess workforce performance, and maintain daily records. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe work environment for everyone.

What does a construction manager do?

A construction manager oversees a construction site and its workers, ensuring efficiency in the workforce and overall operations. They work in an office within the construction site to meet and coordinate with architects, contractors, and clients. They must also hire the required workforce, identify and resolve issues, maintain daily reports and communication with clients, and prioritize a safe work environment. Above all, they must see that all of the required protocols are met, including the target completion time and budget.

Construction project engineer vs construction manager salary

Construction project engineers and construction managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction Project EngineerConstruction Manager
Average salary$68,635$81,313
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $87,000Between $54,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyAbbottMeta
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between construction project engineer and construction manager education

There are a few differences between a construction project engineer and a construction manager in terms of educational background:

Construction Project EngineerConstruction Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Construction project engineer vs construction manager demographics

Here are the differences between construction project engineers' and construction managers' demographics:

Construction Project EngineerConstruction Manager
Average age4146
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage5%4%

Differences between construction project engineer and construction manager duties and responsibilities

Construction project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage roll-out and operation of new site CMMS system, ARCHIbus.
  • Ensure the quick responses from designers for RFI (s) for all project manage and oversee.
  • Facilitate coordination between MEP trades and manage finishes.
  • Manage QA activities and maintain up-to-date quality control system.
  • Manage and/or participate in a variety of water and wastewater assist company principles as engineering consultants for numerous municipal clients.
  • Lead teams in FDA compliance, IQ-OQ-PQ validation methods.
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Construction manager example 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.
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Construction project engineer vs construction manager skills

Common construction project engineer skills
  • Construction Management, 20%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Construction Materials, 6%
  • Construction Projects, 6%
  • Shop Drawings, 4%
  • Meeting Minutes, 4%
Common construction manager skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Construction Management, 12%
  • Construction Projects, 9%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

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