USA Career Guide- Construction Managers
Education and Training of Construction Managers
There are a various paths to become construction Manager:
- Bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, architecture or engineering. More than 100 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degree programs in construction science, building science, or construction engineering.
- An associate’s degree combined with work experience may be enough for some positions. A number of 2-year colleges offer construction management or construction technology programs.
- In addition, those with a high school diploma and years of relevant work experience will be able to work as construction managers, though they will do so primarily as self-employed general contractors.
Training
New construction managers are generally hired as assistants to experienced managers before beginning independent work. Work as an assistant can last from several weeks to several months, depending on the firm.
Certification
Certification is not a requirement yet it is becoming increasingly important for construction managers to be certified. You can avail certification from the following:
The Construction Management Association of America awards the Certified Construction Manager (CCM) designation to workers who have the required experience and who pass a technical exam. Applicants for this certification must also complete a self-study course that covers the professional role of a construction manager, legal issues, the allocation of risk, and other topics related to construction management.
The American Institute of Constructors awards the Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) designations to candidates who meet its requirements and pass the appropriate construction exams.
As construction processes become increasingly complex, employers are placing more importance on specialized education.
Pay of Construction Managers
As reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage of construction managers was $83,860 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $150,250.
Salaried construction managers also may earn bonuses and overtime pay.
Job Prospects of Construction Managers
Employment of construction managers is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program)
Job opportunities for qualified jobseekers are expected to be good. Those with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering, coupled with construction experience, will have the best job prospects.
Employment growth will provide many new job openings. A substantial number of construction managers are expected to retire over the next decade, resulting in additional job opportunities.
Employment of construction managers, like that of many other construction workers, is sensitive to fluctuations in the economy. On the one hand, workers in these trades may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls. On the other hand, peak periods of building activity may produce abundant job opportunities for construction managers.
Industrial Overview of Construction Managers
Construction managers held about 523,100 jobs in 2010. Approximately two-thirds were self-employed. The industries that employed the most construction managers in 2010 were as follows:
Nonresidential building construction 9%
Residential building construction 5
Building equipment contractors 5
Heavy and civil engineering construction 4
Architectural, engineering, and related services 2
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition,
Processing...