- A construction project manager is often an owner or employee of a construction management firm, or works under contract to the property owner or developer. Although it is possible for a skilled construction craft worker, such as a carpenter, mason, plumber or electrician to advance to construction manager in time, employers are placing more emphasis on advanced education beyond high school due to increasingly complex construction processes. Consequently, employers favor an experienced construction project manager with a Bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management or civil engineering.
- A construction project manager, who plans and supervises a wide range of construction projects, from erecting all forms of residential, commercial and industrial structures, roads and bridges, and schools and hospitals, often make himself available 24 hours a day to deal with developing setbacks or emergencies at the job site. He supervises the delivery and utilization of supplies and equipment, job site productivity and safety, as well as the quality of construction. It is imperative that the construction project manager creates a good working relationship with the owners, other managers, supervisors and skilled workers to make certain that the job is completed on time and within budget.
- Some of the duties that a construction project manager is expected to carry out include obtaining necessary permits and licenses, making certain the construction site's work conforms to local building and safety codes or other regulations. He also must address and synchronize all of the various construction processes, such as the selecting, hiring, and supervising of all specialty trade contractors, any land clearing or earth moving that may be required, the sewage systems installations, digging and laying of foundations and erection of the structures framework, floors, walls and roofs. He must also oversee and evaluate the installation of the electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning and heating systems, but he typically does not perform any actual construction work.
- While some managerial decisions can be made from a main office, the construction project manager typically monitors the daily activity and progress at the job site. At times, this may mean extensive traveling, especially for projects that are overseas, which often requires the construction project manager to live in another country employing a field office at the work site until the project is completed. Also, the ability to communicate in a foreign language, especially Spanish which is often the primary language of construction workers in the United States, is an asset for a construction project manager who aspires to elevated levels of employment.
- According to the United States Department of Labor, there were more than 450,000 construction project manager jobs in 2006. Most work more than a standard 40-hour week with the median salary being around $74,000 per year. The middle 50 percent made between $56,000 and $98,000 annually. The lowest 10 percent made less than $43,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $135,000 per year. Pay mostly depends on the size and nature of the construction jobs, the geographic location and monetary situation of the employer, and the number of jobs completed in the course of a year.
