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Construction Project Management Careers

Learn why construction project management careers are building momentum.

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By Andrew Monko

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Construction project management is the oversight of construction processes from design to completion. Just like project management across the business world, a key function of your role in construction project management is to ensure a project is completed within budget and on schedule.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect construction project management to be a growing field with a promising outlook for job opportunities in the next few years. Employers favor jobseekers with both work experience and a bachelor's degree related to construction (which may include construction project management training). There is also an increasing trend of construction managers obtaining certification to validate their competence and experience.

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Working in Construction Project Management

In advising construction tasks and vendors, a primary goal of construction project management is to create the most cost-effective plan, schedule, and means of obtaining labor, materials and equipment. Project managers may use specialized software and financial and administrative tools to estimate costs and establish schedules.

Your work in construction project management can involve jobs that range from small to very large, simple to complex: residential housing, institutional and commercial buildings, large-scale industrial projects such as a steel mill or oil refinery, or heavy infrastructure such as highways and bridges, to name a few.

Managers usually separate sizable construction projects like an office complex or shopping center into many discrete smaller projects:

  • Clearing land and site preparation
  • Paving and underground utilities
  • Building construction, which entails excavation, laying the foundation and assembling the structure itself
  • Building-system installation (electrical, plumbing, fire-protection, heating, air-conditioning)
  • Finishes (interior flooring, walls, ceilings and painting)
  • Landscaping

Personnel management is an important part of project management in construction, such as the determination of labor requirements and the hiring, direction and dismissal of contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Construction project managers also can obtain permits and must ensure compliance to all licensure requirements as well as safety and building codes.

Job titles in construction project management may vary with the type of company that employs these professionals and include the following:

  • project engineer
  • construction project manager
  • general contractor
  • construction supervisor
  • construction superintendent

Construction project managers frequently work with owners, architects, engineers and other professionals during the different phases of the construction process. Managers may supervise a project in its entirety or a portion of it, but don't typically participate in the construction work itself.

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Where Can I Get Construction Project Management Training?

As a construction project manager, you may often be required to possess a broad understanding of planning, operation and construction field management to make informed decisions and perform your role competently.

In the past, seasoned tradesmen such as electricians or carpenters or those with construction supervising experience could advance to a position in construction project management. The increasing complexity of the modern construction process, though, is prompting employers to seek candidates with specialized training beyond high school. Employers increasingly prefer candidates with a combination of construction industry experience and a bachelor's degree in building science, construction science, construction management or civil engineering.

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Types of Construction Project Management Degrees

  • Bachelor's degree – Bachelor's degree programs in building science, construction engineering and construction science are available at over 100 schools in the U.S. Coursework in these programs include: design, site planning, project management training, construction methods and materials, cost estimation and scheduling, financial and business management, math and statistics, safety and building codes, architectural and engineering sciences, information technology and inspection procedures, to name a few.
  • Master's degree – Master's degree programs in construction management or science exist in over 60 colleges and universities. Graduates with master's degrees who have construction work experience often become managers in sizable construction management firms.
  • Other training – Industry organizations and some two-year colleges can also offer training in construction technology or construction project management training.
  • Advanced Certification – Although certification is not required to work in construction project management, a growing number of managers are obtaining these credentials to benchmark their knowledge and experience. Consider these voluntary certification programs: Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) from the American Institute of Constructors; and Certified Construction Manager (CCM) from the Construction Management Association of America.

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Salary and Forecast

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth and opportunities for construction managers will be excellent through 2016 due to the number of jobs available exceeding the number of qualified candidates. The yearly median salary was $73,700 for construction managers (not including self-employed workers) in May 2006.

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