Construction management is supposed to grow over the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the construction manager position is expected to grow 16% between 2012 and 2022, a growth rate much faster than the national average of 11%.
If you’re looking for a construction management job, you’re not alone. But what goes into being a construction manager, and what can you expect from the job? Below, I break down the ins and outs of construction management so that you can decide if it’s a good fit.
Earning Potential
Let's answer the question on the tip of everyone's tongue: how much can you earn? The BLS report found that the median salary in 2012 was $ 82,790. The highest 10% earned $ 144,520 +, but even the lowest 10% could expect to earn $ 50,000 or more. No formal education is required, but it is increasingly preferred, and there are a large number of books on the subject. Many construction managers start as plumbers or general contractors and have used their work experience to move up in the field. Most employers will consider a construction manager with an associate's degree and solid work experience.
Construction Management Skills
A construction manager owns a construction project from start to finish, which makes him or her responsible for ensuring that the project is feasible, that all designs meet requirements, that the project is managed properly. In short, the site manager is the lifeblood of any construction project. So when applying for construction management jobs, applicants should focus on these five main traits:
Project management skills: Can demonstrate a history of managing time schedules, coordinating meetings, working with stakeholders, and negotiating agreements.
Communication skills: A strong listener and communicator, able to work effectively with others on a team, and function as a representative of the company to stakeholders.
Document-management skills: Must be able to compose and follow documents through bids, job reports, and proposals, and must be able to understand contract requirements and construction standards.
Technical skills: Must be able to interpret technical drawings. Software skills and experience a plus (such as a familiarity with rugged smartphones and construction management software).
Analytical skills: Can “roll with the punches.” Deal with unexpected delays, manage materials, and keep the project in line.
Additional Certifications
Some states, like South Carolina, require construction managers to receive certification to oversee public construction projects. Check with your state to see if this condition applies to you. Otherwise, optional certifications in the construction management field are one way to make an applicant stand out. The Construction Management Association of America offers a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification for construction managers who have demonstrated that they can control the time, cost, and quality of projects.
There are many other construction certifications to consider when attempting to enter construction management; this article did not attempt to cover them all. Our recruitment services for construction industry recruitment cover the entire development, from initial possibility and organizing stages to planning, developing, and dismantling. With that said, these essential skills are what every human resource manager looks for in hiring construction management.
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