How much does a construction manager make?
a year · about $55 an hour
A typical construction manager in the United States makes $114,990 a year, about $55 an hour, about 2.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check plans, budgets, deliveries, and the day’s schedule, then walk the site to watch crews and check safety and quality. They meet with builders and designers, solve delays, and update the plan.
Did you know? A construction manager may oversee several projects at once—such as building multiple homes—and coordinate different teams on each.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $69,690 and $189,440How do you become one?
Many U.S. construction managers earn a construction-related bachelor’s degree, then start as assistants; there is no set starting age. They train on the job; some states require licenses, and optional CCM certification requires experience and an exam.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, optional certification, the employer’s industry and location, and project type; wages vary across construction industries and areas. Deadlines can mean longer or on-call hours, and some managers receive bonuses.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New York ($155,360), lowest in Arkansas ($86,310).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $69,690 | $114,990 | $189,440 | about 380,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $155,360 | about 10,000 |
| Washington | $155,070 | about 6,000 |
| Massachusetts | $145,010 | about 10,000 |
| Alaska | $139,190 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $138,230 | about 7,000 |
Official definition: Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9021.00
- www.cmaanet.org/certification/ccm
- aic-builds.org/what-does-a-construction-manager-do-on-a-daily-basis
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY