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Design manager vs construction manager

The differences between design managers and construction managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a design manager, becoming a construction manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a design manager has an average salary of $102,637, which is higher than the $81,313 average annual salary of a construction manager.

The top three skills for a design manager include sketch, project management and visualization. The most important skills for a construction manager are project management, construction management, and construction projects.

Design manager vs construction manager overview

Design ManagerConstruction Manager
Yearly salary$102,637$81,313
Hourly rate$49.34$39.09
Growth rate2%8%
Number of jobs61,27344,431
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4846
Years of experience-8

What does a design manager do?

A design manager is responsible for creating graphic and digital designs, following clients' specifications, and managing project deliverables efficiently. Design managers work closely with the marketing and public relations department, developing strategies to promote the brand to the target audience. They coordinate with the creative team and present the design ideas to the management, ask for final approval, perform revisions as needed, and follow the budget goals. A design manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the design team's concerns and needs.

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.

Design manager vs construction manager salary

Design managers and construction managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Design ManagerConstruction Manager
Average salary$102,637$81,313
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $150,000Between $54,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between design manager and construction manager education

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

Design ManagerConstruction Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGraphic DesignBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Design manager vs construction manager demographics

Here are the differences between design managers' and construction managers' demographics:

Design ManagerConstruction Manager
Average age4846
Gender ratioMale, 63.8% Female, 36.2%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 11.8% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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 Percentage9%4%

Differences between design manager and construction manager duties and responsibilities

Design manager example responsibilities.

  • Help achieve status of medical device manufacturer through the FDA.
  • Manage several consultants preparing contract documents on the various NYC let and NYS let projects.
  • Manage and collaborate with ASIC library/memory vendors.
  • Manage design, tooling, equipment implementations and process improvements for foundry/machining metalworking manufacturer of automotive OEM products.
  • Design blueprints, bills of materials, FEA as required.
  • Include producing FDA and ISO-9000 level documentation of the project.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Design manager vs construction manager skills

Common design manager skills
  • Sketch, 8%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Visualization, 5%
  • User Experience, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Design Process, 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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