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The differences between real estate developers 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 real estate developer, becoming a construction manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a real estate developer has an average salary of $93,510, which is higher than the $81,313 average annual salary of a construction manager.
The top three skills for a real estate developer include financial statements, property management and due diligence. The most important skills for a construction manager are project management, construction management, and construction projects.
| Real Estate Developer | Construction Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $93,510 | $81,313 |
| Hourly rate | $44.96 | $39.09 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 87,865 | 44,431 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 48 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
A real estate developer obtains and develops land, turning it into a real estate asset. Part of their job is to conduct extensive research and analyses, coordinate with experts, gather and analyze data, negotiate with land sellers, and prepare properties for development. They also oversee construction operations from planning to execution, set budgets and guidelines, establish timelines and objectives, generate leads for potential clients, and maintain an active communication line with contractors for a smooth and efficient workflow.
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.
Real estate developers and construction managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Real Estate Developer | Construction Manager | |
| Average salary | $93,510 | $81,313 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $131,000 | Between $54,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Catonsville, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | RSM US | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between a real estate developer and a construction manager in terms of educational background:
| Real Estate Developer | Construction Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between real estate developers' and construction managers' demographics:
| Real Estate Developer | Construction Manager | |
| Average age | 48 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 Percentage | 12% | 4% |