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Site manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected site manager job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 36,400 new jobs for site managers are projected over the next decade.
Site manager salaries have increased 9% for site managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 58,411 site managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 47,853 active site manager job openings in the US.
The average site manager salary is $59,192.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58,411 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 58,157 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 59,688 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 56,603 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 53,541 | 0.02% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,192 | $28.46 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $58,023 | $27.90 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $56,872 | $27.34 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $55,654 | $26.76 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $54,393 | $26.15 | +2.2% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 221 | 32% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 127 | 13% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 88 | 12% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 929 | 11% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 742 | 11% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 652 | 11% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 309 | 10% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 72 | 10% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 916 | 9% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 658 | 9% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 529 | 9% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 58 | 9% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,209 | 8% |
| 14 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,575 | 8% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 992 | 8% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 726 | 8% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 562 | 8% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 342 | 8% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 302 | 8% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 105 | 8% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 4 | 10% | $64,822 |
| 2 | East Hartford | 3 | 6% | $83,300 |
| 3 | Hamden | 3 | 5% | $82,868 |
| 4 | Auburn | 2 | 3% | $58,746 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge | 5 | 2% | $63,708 |
| 6 | Topeka | 3 | 2% | $44,322 |
| 7 | Boston | 6 | 1% | $64,696 |
| 8 | Minneapolis | 6 | 1% | $41,260 |
| 9 | Washington | 4 | 1% | $53,192 |
| 10 | Aurora | 3 | 1% | $52,992 |
| 11 | Lincoln | 3 | 1% | $53,738 |
| 12 | Alexandria | 2 | 1% | $61,890 |
| 13 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $47,526 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $46,789 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | 3 | 0% | $51,658 |
| 16 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $45,033 |
Susquehanna University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Murray State University

Kennesaw State University

University of Hawaii at Manoa
Montgomery College
Michigan Technological University
Arizona State University

Pepperdine University, Seaver College

Sam Houston State University

Houston Baptist University

Farmingdale State College

The City College of New York
Belmont University

Sonoma State University

University of Oklahoma

American Council for Construction Education

National Tile Contractors Association

University of Texas
Susquehanna University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
Lauren Smith: Lauren Smith advises graduates to actively engage in a dual pursuit of entrepreneurship and traditional corporate roles, emphasizing the importance of gaining diverse experiences.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Dr. John Cabage: Along with the traditional approaches in general education, a graduate must embrace technology changes. In the future, we will see robotics prevalent in construction work. We already see the obsolescence of blueprints in favor of portable computers. We see the growing contribution of technology with constructors using virtual and augmented reality, with artificial intelligence as tools for preparing bids, estimates, schedule, visualization, and quality checks.
Dr. John Cabage: The Construction Industry is robust and vital for the health of our nation. The industry is growing and will continue to grow in the future. Projects are becoming larger and more complex requiring teamwork and collaboration from partners of all walks both internal and external to the construction community.
Dr. John Cabage: Salaries for graduates as a Construction Professional are good. The best way to maximize this is to job shadow, work a part-time job while going to school and internships in the summer. Employers want to see college students that have shown leadership skills while in school through community involvement. Good grades and commitment to learning the basics of the profession are also important. An employer wants to see a passion for the work and a commitment and drive to succeed.
Murray State University
Educational Administration And Supervision
Dr. Ben Littlepage: Salary is maximized when leaders are sought after. Leaders who pursue meaningful experiences and remain 'market ready' are viewed as an asset to any organization. Leaders must carefully consider where the field is moving and respond.
Neil Opfer: First off, know what competitive salaries are in your area of the country for the type of job you want as you never have to recover from a good start. Some companies, for instance, will offer salaries that are simply not competitive. As an example, a few years ago, we had one CM graduate starting at $70K per year at one firm (heavy-highway contractor) whereas another grad had been offered $42K per year for a commercial flooring contractor. That $42K was simply not competitive with the market whether that employer offering that salary knew it or not. Also, compare offers versus area living costs. Use cost-of-living calculators such as at bankrate.com If you, using this bankrate.com tool, were offered one job in Las Vegas NV at $80,000 per year versus another job opportunity in Los Angeles CA, you would need $122,000 per year as a comparable salary. Remember to measure yourself as to earning that salary on a regular basis. Don't take jobs where a bonus is promised to make up for a bad salary. Example here is taking a Superintendent Job where your Job ended up profitable but other jobs run by others overall didn't so taking that lower salary and not getting that bonus didn't work out so well. Again, benchmark yourself against what others in the industry in that same area are actually getting paid. If you truly feel you deserve a raise where you're at but can't get it you may need to change jobs to get to a higher salary scale. But that firm offering above-market salaries may be doing so because of internal problems (bad bosses, poor working conditions, insane hours, insane understaffing, etc.) so look before you leap. It's a given that to be successful as a working professional in construction, one cannot just work a 40-hour week. But you shouldn't be working 7-10s or more on a regular basis either. Again, through networking you perhaps can find out who are the 'bad employers.'
Neil Opfer: Certainly, Artificial Intelligence or AI is a huge buzzword across all occupations. The experts I read in this area are all over the map in that (1) AI will put huge waves of people out of work, (2) AI will in some 'Terminator-type World' mean the death of civilization as we know it, or (3) fears of AI taking over the World are way overblown and AI will be a useful tool to improve productivity. Certainly have heard from several friends in the industry the usefulness of AI in developing safety plans for a jobsite, etc., etc. So AI is number 1 with continuing areas such BIM/computerization important, sustainability/green building important, and lean construction/reducing out-of-control construction costs important. Also we need to attract a quality craft labor force to construction and so better working conditions (cleaner jobs, clean restroom-facilities, better management) and better marketing to potential employees will be key success drivers.
Neil Opfer: Remember that in a CM Program you have spent 4 years of your life (or more) studying books and learning the "theory of construction." But this is the start of your education and not the end. The best quote here (not from me) is "Success is a journey, not a destination." Sadly I have classmates that I graduated with years ago who, once they graduated, never cracked a book. Also remember that construction in many respects is an incredibly-varied field and you will, perhaps if working for a GC or a CM firm, never know as much as that electrician or plumber knows about their craft or that trade contractor knows about their specialty. But insofar as possible you need to learn and absorb as much as possible about these other areas. Otherwise you'll lead a life of ignorance and designers and contractors will, sadly, take advantage of your ignorance. When I was in college (1974), my Dorm President told me, "Everyone is ignorant about something but the stupid person works at being ignorant." Don't work at being ignorant. Also, respect everyone on the job from laborer, carpenter, on up because you can learn something from everyone along the way in your career. You, remember, are lucky in that as a college grad you're in the 37% or so of the U.S. population with a college degree but CM is a STEM field because of the math, physics, and construction-science coursework you take. Only 18% of the U.S. population have STEM degrees so you're in even a more select field with your technical education. But those on the construction site who did not have an opportunity to go to college may resent you or they've had bad experiences with college grads who "lorded over them" the fact that they were a college grad and the craft personnel on the job were not. Advice to a new college graduate in CM would be to remember (not original with me but a great axiom) that (1) you are hired for your technical skills, (2) promoted for your leadership/managerial skills, and (3) fired for your lack of people skills. Do a good job at whatever you do and look for opportunities to improve processes when possible. Realize that as a new grad you'll often get the jobs that more senior people don't want. Also, realize that your job is partly "paying your dues" to get the chance at more interesting jobs in the future. Learn to network with others in your firm and those at other firms including being involved in professional associations and civic/charitable work. Ensure that your supervisors know the extras (prof associations, civic work) you are doing outside of work. Finally the old adage of a "sound mind in a sound body" means to continually improve yourself on both a mental and a physical basis.

Kennesaw State University
Department of Construction Management
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Construction Managers are problem solvers. Employers seek analytical, technical, and effective communication skills from potential employees for construction management positions. Whether building a skyscraper or single-family home, there are always groups of people performing numerous construction activities and tasks simultaneously on a construction site. Therefore, resumes that show time, cost, and, most importantly, safety management skills are most desired by employers.
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Leadership and communication are among the most essential skills of a construction manager. Construction managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are built safely on schedule, within budget, and to the quality outlined in the drawings and specifications. To fulfill these responsibilities, construction managers must lead multiple teams, including primary, secondary, and third party players, on a construction project through effective oral and written communications.
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Construction Managers are project managers with specialized technical skills. Construction managers' most important technical skills are print reading, estimating, scheduling, project and technology management.
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: The key to the highest earning potential in construction is experience. However, a potential employee that can show success in managing people, budgets, and schedules while using the latest tools in construction technology such as drones, building information modeling (BIM), smart devices, computer-automated design (CAD), and cloud-based project controls software is likely to be more attractive to employers. Construction projects are complex and risky. Someone with the technical skills to foresee problems and minimize risks is invaluable to an employer.

University of Hawaii at Manoa
School of Architecture
David Rockwood: -construction process/sequencing
-structural and MEP systems knowledge
-scheduling and workflow
David Rockwood: -ability to lead and manage large complex projects
-ability to provide oversight and judgment as to best practices
Montgomery College
Department of Performing Arts
R. Scott Hengen: Your studies and time in school are a good base and support for your production in the industry. As you begin, please consider that you will still be learning and, even though you have learned the essentials, you will be asked to apply your skills and experience in new ways and in a more competitive and practical atmosphere. Deadlines must be met, and the economy of time and effort will be crucial. Work hard, but try to keep a balance between time in the industry and your home life.
Michigan Technological University
College of Business
Laura Connolly Ph.D.: One thing we have learned so far during the pandemic is that it has disparately impacted different industries, occupations and groups of workers. Even within the construction industry the impacts of the pandemic are not uniform. Residential construction has added back more of the jobs lost during the pandemic than nonresidential construction. This is influenced by the surge in the housing market and uncertainty in demand and funding for commercial projects. All of these factors, and more, are likely to influence the job market. Residential construction could be in a better position to expand employment than commercial construction in the short term. The shift to work from home and differences in state and local government responses to the pandemic have impacted individual preferences for where to live. These spillover into the construction sector, with some areas experiencing population growth and an increased need for more housing. Construction management jobs might be more available in these geographic areas. There are other job market trends we've seen during the pandemic that are likely here to stay as well, including working from home, virtual recruitment and training processes, and increased safety and protocol measures.
Kristen Parrish Ph.D.: The construction market, locally, is doing quite well, particularly in the industrial sector (e.g., warehouses). So, I think that in terms of ability to be employed, no, there is relatively little impact in the construction industry. However, I think that the enduring impacts are the ways that we do business, even in construction, have changed. For instance, inspections can happen remotely using video conferencing software, and in some cases, augmented reality. People are also working from home more -- this is the case for project managers as well as office staff for projects (i.e., construction administrators). Some of these changes will likely persist after COVID is under control; others may change back.
Kristen Parrish Ph.D.: This is pretty dependent on the job that you're going for, but I think that one technical skill that employers in construction look for is the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely. This will be critical onsite and in the office -- you need to demonstrate an understanding of how a project comes together, and this requires the ability to communicate clearly. Beyond the communication, a technical understanding of material behavior (i.e., concrete curing, crane picks, etc.).

Steven Bauer: The coronavirus has accelerated the transformation to a digital world, and this effect will continue after the pandemic is behind us. Graduates will need to be able to navigate a hybrid business environment, with in-person and virtual meetings, interactions and platforms. There will also be increased opportunities to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the digital area. In addition, graduates will have to become more skilled at navigating a global environment since greater digitization will draw countries closer to each other.

Sam Houston State University
Department of Management & Marketing
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Flexible working arrangements were considered a perk or benefit, but given the pandemic more and more jobs will be designed with flexible work arrangements in mind. We will continue to see trends in the labor market with a push towards personal services (e.g. virtual assistants, professional organizers) and professional services. There will also continue to be a demand for knowledge work. More and more, employers are looking to hire applicants that can provide concrete evidence of being "Day 1" ready.
Employers will focus more on identifying prospects with certain "soft skills" which were a nice-to-have pre-pandemic, but are now critical for organizational survival. These skills include: critical thinking, agility, ability to adapt to change, resilience, virtual team effectiveness, crisis management, emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, data analysis and interpretation is a highly sought after skill even for jobs that historically did not require analytical ability.

Houston Baptist University
Accounting, Economics and Finance Department
Michael Kraten Ph.D.: Good jobs out of college place graduates on career paths to better future jobs. Graduates must train themselves to always think one job ahead, and not to be tempted by minor short-term wage or benefit differences.

Farmingdale State College
Department of Economics
Xu Zhang Ph.D.: I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.
Xu Zhang Ph.D.: The Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics program at Farmingdale State College is a
comprehensive course of study that prepares students to be real-life problem solvers so that upon
graduation students are ready to be employed in entry and junior-level positions in business and
industry, the public sector, and non-profit sector. The program features hands-on training in data
analytical techniques and culminates with a capstone course sequence of Economics Research
and Reporting followed by Applied Economic Analysis/Senior Project. While employment
losses also occurred in professional and business services and public sectors, the prospect of job
opportunities related to data analysis remains strong. Therefore, major metro-areas such as New
York are still considered good places for graduates to find work opportunities. Given the
embracing of remote work, graduates can also consider secondary metro-areas where businesses
and financial activities are reviving when the Covid-19 pandemic resolves.

Prabal Kumar De Ph.D.: I think the necessary skills remain the same. One modification that would stay is greater virtual engagement. Therefore, newly essential skills such as acing a virtual interview, making a mark during a Zoom meeting, or managing or being a valuable part of a remote working group would be useful long after the immediate threats from the COVID-19 crisis be gone.
Belmont University
Office of Career & Professional Development
Nina Woodard: The pandemic hasn't impacted all areas of the entertainment industry in the same way. Anything related to live events and touring has been placed on an extended pause, which has been very difficult for graduates hoping to work in those fields. On an encouraging note, consumers will always find a way back to live experiences, so that segment of the industry will absolutely recover; the timing is just still a bit unknown. Other areas such as record or publishing companies have held steady. And, digital marketing and content creation companies are as busy, if not busier, than they've ever been as artists seek alternative ways to stay connected to their fans. Technology has intersected with entertainment in exciting, creative ways that will continue even as some of the more traditional avenues become available again. For many companies, ideas that started as pivots are now vibrant components of their long-term strategies.
The way we work may have also permanently changed. Companies have realized that remote working is a truly viable option for most businesses. While maintaining company culture, and the social nature of an entertainment-based organization, may still require some level of in-person interaction, it seems likely that many organizations may continue with remote/hybrid office models.
Nina Woodard: For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.

Sonoma State University
School of Business & Economics
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: Most important on resumes to only show accomplishments you are proud of and reflect measurable success and completion of past work. These accomplishments should be a snapshot of what we have done and can do in the future. The most important two lines of a resume are in the objectives, to list what the person is seeking. These two lines give the reader a quick view of what the person wants.
Now is a great time to start the new year to build a portable work portfolio to represent an alignment of what a person is excited about and enjoys in their work.
Ben F. Bigelow Ph.D.: Construction companies want someone who can "speak the language" when they arrive, so instead of teaching about the industry; they are teaching about their company and its processes, etc. While there are technical skills graduates should have, construction companies are far more concerned with graduate's soft skills; can they communicate clearly and effectively in writing and speaking?
Ben F. Bigelow Ph.D.: There are opportunities all over the U.S. in construction; it really just depends on which industry segment a graduate goes to work in. As a general rule, the strongest economies have the greatest demand. I have heard comparisons of DFW being this century, what Detroit was in the last century, and the opportunities in that market suggest that's accurate.
Ben F. Bigelow Ph.D.: BIM will continue to gain market share and become a standard part of a project; I also think we'll see increased use of scanning for progress updates. I'm not a believer in robots yet, they may impact the industry in 10 or 20 years, but they aren't there yet.

Steve Nellis: The primary skills that new graduates from ACCE programs will have are different for each level of degree that they complete. For an Associate Degree, here are the skills (we call them Student Learning Outcomes, or SLO) that they will possess:
1. Apply effective communication, both orally and in writing.
1. Apply quantity takeoff skills for bidding or budgeting purposes on a construction project.
2. Apply the aptitude to schedule a basic construction project.
3. Apply current technology related to the construction industry.
4. Apply the interpretation of construction documents (contracts, specifications, and drawings) used in managing a construction project.
5. Apply basic principles of construction accounting.
6. Apply basic surveying techniques used in building layout.
7. Understand basic principles of ethics in the construction industry.
8. Understand the fundamentals of contracts, codes, and regulations that govern a construction project.
9. Understand basic construction methods and materials.
10. Understand basic safety hazards on a construction site and standard prevention measures.
11. Understand the basic principles of structural design.
12. Understand the basic principles of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Steve Nellis: Regarding locations for work opportunities, we have found that there are opportunities throughout the country, and international opportunities, for our graduates. Because construction work is a critical and necessary profession, even in the times of the pandemic, our graduates can research where the construction activity is and then align their career choices to the locations they desire. If we are to narrow down the scope of locations, pretty much any of the large metropolitan areas in the SunBelt States are excellent areas for our graduates to start their construction careers.

Becky Serbin: Tile contractors are hiring across the U.S. and using several different online job posting sites. We even have an online form that those interested in the trade can fill out. When we receive them, they are forwarded to members in their area. If the person is located in an area where there is a union presence, they can even contact that office for job opportunities.
Becky Serbin: Tile contractors are hiring across the U.S. and using several different online job posting sites. We even have an online form that those interested in the trade can fill out. When we receive them, they are forwarded to members in their area. If the person is located in an area where there is a union presence, they can even contact that office for job opportunities.

Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.: Prioritize obtaining relevant certifications early on in your career. These credentials can enhance your qualifications and marketability, potentially leading to higher starting salaries. As you gain experience, strive to take on leadership roles and demonstrate your ability to manage projects, teams, and resources effectively. Leadership skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution are highly valued in the construction industry. Ultimately, remember that success in construction is not solely about expertise; it also hinges on upholding integrity, diligence, and ethical standards.
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.: For a graduate embarking on a career in construction, remember that every project is an opportunity to learn and grow. Cultivate strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively collaborate with colleagues, contractors, and clients. Additionally, prioritize continuous learning, staying abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices through seminars, workshops, and professional development courses. Finally, never underestimate the importance of building and maintaining relationships—trust and integrity are the cornerstones of a successful career in construction.