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What is a senior project manager construction and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
Becky Serbin

A senior project manager in construction is someone responsible for overseeing construction projects from start to finish. They lead a team of professionals, manage budgets, and ensure that all work is completed on time and within budget. Senior project managers in construction are responsible for coordinating with architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of the project are executed correctly. They ensure that all work is done safely and in compliance with regulations.

What general advice would you give to a senior project manager construction?

Becky SerbinBecky Serbin LinkedIn profile

Director of Education and Curriculum, National Tile Contractors Association

Skill requirements are stated on our recruitment flyer, attached, but will ultimately be decided on by the hiring contractor. Beyond our flyer, many also require a valid drivers license.
ScoreSenior Project Manager ConstructionUS Average
Salary
8.1

Avg. Salary $120,505

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.8

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.56%

Asian 2.82%

Black or African American 3.67%

Hispanic or Latino 17.24%

Unknown 4.44%

White 71.27%

Gender

female 9.09%

male 90.91%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
2.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a senior project manager construction?

Pros

  • High salary potential

  • High degree of responsibility and autonomy

  • Job stability and security

  • Chance to make a positive impact on communities

  • Exposure to new technologies and innovations

Cons

  • Long hours and high stress levels

  • High pressure to meet deadlines and budgets

  • Heavy workload and multitasking

  • Dealing with difficult stakeholders and subcontractors

  • Risk of project delays and cost overruns

  • Need for constant communication and collaboration with team members

Senior project manager construction career paths

Key steps to become a senior project manager construction

  1. Explore senior project manager construction education requirements

    Most common senior project manager construction degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.6 %

    Master's

    13.5 %

    Associate

    10.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior project manager construction skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management19.62%
    Construction Projects13.27%
    Real Estate10.31%
    Cash Flow4.69%
    Construction Administration2.84%
  3. Complete relevant senior project manager construction training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior project managers construction learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior project manager construction based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior project manager construction resumes.
  4. Research senior project manager construction duties and responsibilities

    • Produce employee schedules and manage finances including payroll, invoicing, and QuickBooks.
    • Coordinate and manage various services with outside vendors, surveyors, geotechnical and environmental consultants.
    • Develop MEP punch list in all rooms of all buildings, and manage subcontractors through completion.
    • Lead the efforts for testing of the windows base rally application and the website for results delivery.
  5. Get senior project manager construction experience

    Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a senior project manager construction. The most common roles before becoming a senior project manager construction include project manager, construction manager team lead and senior project manager.
  6. Prepare your senior project manager construction resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior project manager construction resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior project manager construction resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior project manager construction resume templates

    Build a professional senior project manager construction resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior project manager construction resume.
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
    Senior Project Manager Construction Resume
  7. Apply for senior project manager construction jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior project manager construction job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first senior project manager construction job

Zippi

Are you a senior project manager construction?

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Average senior project manager construction salary

The average senior project manager construction salary in the United States is $120,505 per year or $58 per hour. Senior project manager construction salaries range between $83,000 and $173,000 per year.

Average senior project manager construction salary
$120,505 Yearly
$57.94 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do senior project managers construction rate their job?

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Senior project manager construction reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

I like to work with a team. Satisfaction of seeing the successful completion of a project


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

Without the right support from project sponsors, a project manager is doomed to failure. There is an enormous amount of responsibility on a project manager to deliver a product on time and on budget, though without proper authority or backing, it's basically wheel spinning.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I love managing teams and taking the challenge

Cons

If people don't do their work properly


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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