Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Construction managers will be needed as overall construction activity expands. Population and business growth will result in the construction of new residences, office buildings, retail outlets, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other structures over the coming decade. Also, the need to improve portions of the national infrastructure will spur employment growth as roads, bridges, and sewer pipe systems are upgraded or replaced.
In addition, a growing emphasis on retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient should create jobs for general contractors, who are more likely to manage the renovation and upgrading of buildings than oversee new large-scale construction projects.
To ensure that projects are completed on time and under budget, firms are increasingly focusing on hiring construction managers. Furthermore, construction processes and building technology are becoming more complex, requiring greater oversight and spurring demand for specialized management personnel.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities for qualified construction managers are expected to be good. Specifically, those with a bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering, coupled with construction experience, will have the best job prospects.
Although employment growth will provide many new jobs, a substantial number of construction managers are expected to retire over the next decade, resulting in additional job openings.
Employment of construction managers, like that of many other construction workers, is sensitive to fluctuations in the economy. On the one hand, workers in the construction industry 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.
Construction Managers
Percent change in employment, projected 2014-24
Total, all occupations
7%
Management occupations
6%
Construction managers
5%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program