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Construction manager: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$114,990median pay per year, or $55.28 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $69,690lowest 10% earn less
  2. $88,55025th percentile
  3. $114,990median
  4. $151,64075th percentile
  5. $189,440top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Construction managers had a median pay of $114,990 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+9.1%[2]
Openings per year
49,700[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do construction managers make?

The median pay for construction managers was $114,990 a year, or $55.28 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The mean (average) was $124,360 a year, or $59.79 an hour[7].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $69,690 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $189,440[3]. BLS explains that a percentile is a boundary, and it does not publish a starting salary[8]. The middle half of workers earned between $88,550 and $151,640[3].

Measure Annual pay Hourly pay
10th percentile[3][9] $69,690 $33.50
25th percentile[3][9] $88,550 $42.57
Median[1] $114,990 $55.28
75th percentile[3][9] $151,640 $72.91
90th percentile[3][9] $189,440 $91.08

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4].

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out self-employed people and the cost of benefits, and they do not include nonproduction bonuses[10]. That matters here, because 37.6% of construction managers were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

New York had the highest median pay among states at $155,360, followed by Washington at $155,070, Massachusetts at $145,010, Alaska at $139,190 and New Jersey at $138,230[12]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $86,310[12].

Texas had the most jobs with 59,060, followed by California with 34,750, Florida with 34,010, Illinois with 19,160 and North Carolina with 16,310[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $166,030[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA followed at $163,040, then Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA at $159,860[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX with 17,110 and a median of $103,550[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[12]$155,36010,280
Washington$155,0706,010
Massachusetts$145,0109,870
Alaska$139,1901,720
New Jersey$138,2306,910
California$133,16034,750
Delaware$132,150610
Oregon$131,4204,300
New Hampshire$129,260660
Hawaii$128,9102,890
Maryland$128,3305,770
District of Columbia$126,4301,250
Connecticut$125,1903,620
Colorado$124,83012,550
Minnesota$123,4005,800
Kansas$120,8102,960
Virginia$119,1107,290
South Dakota$118,3801,070
Nevada$115,2504,460
Arizona$114,6809,910
Wisconsin$114,1906,080
Florida$113,13034,010
Missouri$112,2303,680
Georgia$110,81010,740
Tennessee$110,2005,860
Maine$110,0701,460
Louisiana$110,0105,530
Illinois$109,16019,160
Pennsylvania$108,2506,840
South Carolina$108,1105,620
North Carolina$106,64016,310
Indiana$106,3905,450
Utah$105,200n/a
Idaho$104,6002,280
New Mexico$104,5502,480
Montana$104,4802,140
Rhode Island$103,990450
Vermont$103,450930
Michigan$103,2309,620
North Dakota$102,0701,450
Ohio$101,98016,130
Texas$101,47059,060
Nebraska$100,8203,430
Oklahoma$100,6901,980
Mississippi$99,5201,640
Iowa$99,2803,070
Kentucky$97,0202,990
Alabama$96,9608,560
West Virginia$95,740600
Wyoming$92,320n/a
Arkansas$86,3102,280

How to become a construction manager

The typical path, according to BLS projections, starts with a bachelor's degree. It needs no work experience in a related job, and it includes moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. Here are the steps.

1) Earn a bachelor's degree[6]. BLS names construction, business, engineering and related fields[16]. Courses in these programs often cover project control, design, construction methods and cost estimation[17]. 2) Consider an internship or a cooperative education program[18]. College students can gain experience this way[18]. 3) Complete on-the-job training[6]. New managers typically work under an experienced manager for up to 1 year, and some firms train for several years[19]. 4) Check your state's rules[20]. Some states require construction managers to be licensed[20]. Professional certification is not required[21].

There are other routes. Some managers hold an associate's degree in construction management or technology, which combined with work experience may be typical for those who supervise small projects[22]. People with a high school diploma and several years of relevant experience may also qualify. BLS notes that these people may more often work for themselves as general contractors than be hired into a manager job[23]. Those who qualify through experience alone must have worked many years in trades such as carpentry or masonry[24].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 40% said a bachelor's degree is required[25]. Other answers ranged from a high school diploma (15%) to a master's degree (5%)[25]. The sample is small, so treat these shares as a rough picture only.

What construction managers do

O*NET describes the job as planning, directing and coordinating construction and maintenance work, often through supervisors[26]. Common tasks include:

BLS says analytical skills matter for planning strategies and tracking cost variances[28]. Business skills matter for budgets and managing staff[29]. Self-employed managers must also find their own clients[29].

Where they work

Construction managers may have a main office, but they often do most of their work from a field office at the site[30]. Those who oversee several projects visit different worksites, which may mean travel out of state or time away from home[30].

BLS says most construction managers work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week[31]. Schedules vary, and managers may need extra hours to meet deadlines or be on call around the clock for emergencies[31]. Self-employed workers were the largest group of employers at 38%[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of construction managers to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That means about 55,200 more jobs, from about 609,100 to 664,300[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[33]. These counts include self-employed workers, so they are larger than the OEWS count of about 380,360 wage and salary jobs[34][2].

About 49,700 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings include jobs created when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.8% move to a different occupation[35].

BLS lists one factor behind demand. Technical and process improvements increase the need for managers to track costs, materials and schedules[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay well above the all-occupations median[1][4] and growth faster than average[2][33]. The usual route takes a bachelor's degree and some on-the-job training[6][19]. The job can mean time at the worksite, long or irregular hours and travel[30][31]. Pay varies widely by place, from $86,310 in Arkansas to $155,360 in New York[12]. Self-employment is common, and OEWS pay figures do not cover it[10][11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a construction manager make an hour?
The median was $55.28 an hour in May 2025[1]. The mean was $59.79[7].
What degree do you need to be a construction manager?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. It names construction, business, engineering or a related field[16].
How long does training for a construction manager take?
New managers typically work under an experienced manager for up to 1 year, though some firms train for several years[19]. Facts here do not give degree length.
Are construction managers in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. About 49,700 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for construction managers?
New York, with a median of $155,360 in May 2025[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Construction Managers in the US was $114,990 per year and $55.28 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Construction Managers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 609,100 to 664,300 jobs (a change of +55,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Construction Managers: 10th percentile $69,690, 25th percentile $88,550, 75th percentile $151,640, 90th percentile $189,440. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 49,700 openings for Construction Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Construction Managers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Construction Managers was $124,360 per year and $59.79 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Construction Managers: 10th percentile $33.50, 25th percentile $42.57, 75th percentile $72.91, 90th percentile $91.08. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 37.6% of Construction Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Construction Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Construction Managers jobs: Texas 59,060; California 34,750; Florida 34,010; Illinois 19,160; North Carolina 16,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Construction Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $166,030; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $163,040; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $159,860; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $159,430; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $158,000; Bellingham, WA $156,580; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $156,470; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $152,100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Construction Managers jobs: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 17,110 (median $103,550); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 16,500 (median $103,530); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 13,850 (median $117,280); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 12,120 (median $158,000); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,120 (median $131,680); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 8,170 (median $118,350). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 11-9021.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 40%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 15%, Post-Secondary Certificate 15%, Some College Courses 10%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 10%, Less than a High School Diploma 5%, Master's Degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET description of Construction Managers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Construction Managers. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction managers in 2025: Self-employed workers 38%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 380,360 people were employed as Construction Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Construction Managers: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Construction Managers: Demand change - share increases as technical and process improvements increase the need for construction managers to track costs, materials, and schedules. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.