Most Common Construction Management Roles and Their Salaries

Managers must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. They also need to be able to prioritize, delegate, and work well with a diverse team of people. Due to a workforce shortage in the industry, there are many construction management roles available to fill, but these kinds of jobs usually require a bachelor’s degree. Becoming a certified construction manager through the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) or the American Institute of Constructors (AIC) can also help increase your professional marketability.

Construction manager job descriptions often include a number of years of relevant work experience and knowledge of construction management software, as well. If you have the right skills, education, and knowledge, you may be interested in applying for a construction management position. Learn more about the most common construction management roles and their salaries below.

A construction manager — also known as a project manager or general contractor — supervises construction projects from the start of the construction process to its finish. They plan, coordinate, and budget a wide variety of projects, such as the building of structures, roads, and bridges. If the project management is too large for one person, they’ll hire other managers to oversee different construction phases of the building project.

A construction project manager often works with other building specialists, trade workers, and contractors. Depending on the project, they could also work with clients, lawyers, and local government officials through the construction process. It’s their job to make sure the work is done right, on time, and within budget. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a construction manager makes a median annual salary of $95,260.

The director of construction holds a higher position than a construction manager. They typically hold a master’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field of study. A director of construction must have a significant amount of construction experience and strong communication skills. They’re usually required to:

• Provide general project supervision
• Meet with clients to discuss progress and decision-making
• Handle a variety of tasks in the office and at the job site
• Determine manpower requirements
• Work with estimators to determine cost estimates
• Oversees time management deadlines
• Reviews contract administration and handles budgeting
• Coordinate subcontractor schedules

A director of construction earns a median annual salary of around $152,000; however, they can earn much more depending on years of experience, the size of a project, and the location of the construction firm.

A civil engineer is a similar role to that of a construction manager since they also organize and supervise construction projects. However, a civil engineer brings more specific technical knowledge and expertise to the building process. They often have one of the following college degrees, plus years of experience, in:

• Building services engineering
• Civil engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Structural engineering

A civil engineer may also be referred to as a building site engineer. They can work on all aspects of a construction site from the ground up or on just one phase of the build. The median annual salary for a civil engineer is $87,060.

A construction and building inspector ensures that all construction activities meet contract quality standards and zoning regulations throughout the entire construction process. They also make sure that each project meets all local and national building codes and ordinances. A construction and building inspector works with new construction, and any buildings that are being altered, renovated, or converted. When the project is solely about buildings, the role is sometimes referred to as a building control surveyor, or just a building inspector.

When inspectors survey a residential, commercial, or office building, they inspect its structural integrity and construction methods then determine if it’s been built within compliance of the law. They are then responsible for offering solutions to help get the building up to code. There are many other types of inspectors besides the typical construction and building inspector. Other specialized positions within this role include the following:

• Coating inspectors look at exterior paints and coating on bridges, pipelines, and large holding tanks.
• Electrical inspectors work with electricians, and examine electrical systems, wiring, lighting, motors, and more.
• Elevator inspectors check elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, lifts and hoists, inclined railways, ski lifts, and amusement rides.
• Home inspectors inspect newly built or previously owned homes to report on their structure and overall condition for real estate buyers and sellers.
• Mechanical inspectors examine the installation of HVAC systems and equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, gas-fired appliances, and boilers.

• Plan examiners scrutinize the plans for a structure and determine if they comply with building codes.

• Plumbing inspectors examine systems to ensure water is safe to drink and waste is disposed of correctly.

• Public works inspectors make sure that the construction of federal, state, and local government systems and structures are built to particular specifications and code compliance.

• Specification inspectors represent the owner’s interests to ensure that construction work is performed according to design specifications.

The median salary for a construction and building inspector is $60,710 per year and the job requires at least a high school degree, plus five or more years of experience.

A facilities engineer maintains many different services and systems that are required to keep a building functioning as it should. They are also known as building services engineers. They may be given specific tasks overseeing any of the following and more:

• Acoustics
• Health and safety
• HVAC
• Elevators
• Equipment
• Escalators
• Security
• Power

Not only do these engineers manage existing building operations but they also design and install improvements during the constructuction process as needed. They are often expected to integrate new technology to improve the function and energy efficiency of a building. The average annual salary for a building services engineer is about $89,000.

A facilities manager, also known as a building manager, is similar to a facilities engineer in that they support buildings and the people who work there. A facilities manager is involved in the planning and daily operations of a building and its surrounding premises. It’s a diverse career with a variety of job duties that could include everything from cleaning to security.

The main job of this manager is to ensure the safety, comfort, efficiency, and functionality of an existing workplace. If technical skills are needed to solve an issue, they call on the facilities engineer to get the job done. The average salary for a facilities manager is over $65,000 per year; however, senior facilities managers can earn over $100,000.

A sustainability manager develops, implements, and manages a company’s environmental policies and initiatives. They help companies meet “green” goals by improving operations, increasing sustainability, and emphasizing the correct use of environmental resources. A sustainability manager is also responsible for the company’s adherence to industry regulations and environmental laws. Their average annual salary is around $73,000.

Some companies hire a sustainability consultant as needed instead of keeping a salaried sustainability manager on hand at all times. Consultants are involved in promoting greener solutions for many kinds of construction projects, such as:

• Regenerating urban areas
• Rebuilding infrastructure
• Planning marine and coastal projects
• Developing new residential areas
• Renovating older buildings

A sustainability consultant can be hired for many different kinds of projects related to construction and its environmental impacts. They make an average of $63,000 per year.

The construction site safety manager helps construction workers and contractors complete the construction process as safely as possible. They visit construction sites in person to accurately assess working conditions. Safety managers help to identify site hazards and develop solutions aimed at eliminating or minimizing exposure to these risks.

In this role, you would also work with a company’s team members to train them on proper safety procedures. To be a site safety manager, you need to be trained in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. OSHA establishes and governs workplace safety standards. The typical safety manager holds a bachelor’s degree in either occupational health and safety, chemistry, biology, building science, construction science, or construction engineering and earns a median annual salary of $107,000.

Every job search is different. That’s why Joblist offers a unique approach to finding the right construction manager job for you. Our database collects the best jobs out there and puts them all in one place.

Take our short job search survey, and we’ll create a personalized list of matches based on your education, job experience, management skills, technical skills, and more. Save your favorite job opportunities and apply when you’re ready. Whether you’re looking for a construction industry position in your area or across the country, let Joblist help you take the next step on your journey!