Post job

Site/project manager vs construction manager

The differences between site/project managers and construction managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a site/project manager and a construction manager. Additionally, a site/project manager has an average salary of $85,701, which is higher than the $81,313 average annual salary of a construction manager.

The top three skills for a site/project manager include project management, infrastructure and oversight. The most important skills for a construction manager are project management, construction management, and construction projects.

Site/project manager vs construction manager overview

Site/Project ManagerConstruction Manager
Yearly salary$85,701$81,313
Hourly rate$41.20$39.09
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs120,28244,431
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a site/project manager do?

Site/project managers are professionals who are responsible for managing construction projects and ensuring that these projects are completed on time and within budget. These managers must make sure that the projects are following the specifications and requirements of their clients while liaising with quantity surveyors to monitor costs. They must supervise construction as well as select tools and materials to be used in completing construction projects. Site/project managers must also conduct safety inspections to ensure that construction sites are following health and safety protocols.

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.

Site/project manager vs construction manager salary

Site/project managers and construction managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Site/Project ManagerConstruction Manager
Average salary$85,701$81,313
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $119,000Between $54,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CityNewark, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between site/project manager and construction manager education

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

Site/Project ManagerConstruction Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Site/project manager vs construction manager demographics

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

Site/Project ManagerConstruction Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 83.4% Female, 16.6%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.5% 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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between site/project manager and construction manager duties and responsibilities

Site/project manager example responsibilities.

  • Supervise employees to achieve maximum quality control and customer satisfaction.Employee HR management, inventory control, payroll and expense management.
  • Verify compliance with plans (prints), specifications, and all OSHA requirements.
  • Execute many hands-on carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and site preparation aspects of projects.
  • Communicate and/or partner with other engineering disciplines (electrical, HVAC, structural and mechanical) to complete design or installation.
  • Develop and introduce a comprehensive safety program per OSHA standards.
  • Direct oversight of construction, commissioning, turnover and transition to operation of each facility.
  • 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

Site/project manager vs construction manager skills

Common site/project manager skills
  • Project Management, 22%
  • Infrastructure, 10%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • General Contractors, 6%
  • Construction Management, 5%
  • Construction Projects, 5%
Common construction manager skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Construction Management, 12%
  • Construction Projects, 9%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

Browse executive management jobs