How to Become a Construction Manager - Certification and Training

Though construction projects are a team effort, construction managers lead projects from start to finish, overseeing budgeting, blueprints, staffing, business management, and working under time constraints. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a 9% increase in construction manager employment from 2023 to 2033.

Job prospects in construction management depend on your training. A Bachelor of Science in Construction Management equips students with skills in commercial and residential construction, engineering, critical thinking, and the construction process. Graduates often find full-time work in the industry, and additional certifications or a master’s in construction management can further enhance career opportunities, even for those with limited experience.

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Where Do Graduates Work?

What Do These Managers Do?

Construction managers oversee projects like residential, commercial, and industrial structures, as well as roads, infrastructure, schools, and bridges. Their main responsibility is to supervise contractors, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget. While they typically work behind the scenes, having a strong understanding of all aspects of construction is essential.

Aspiring managers can work their way into the role, but we’d advise earning a traditional degree if you’re on the younger side, as the business has shifted. Those with several years of experience in the field may be able to qualify for higher paying roles by sitting for certification exams, which also require either work experience or a degree.

These days construction managers have a more strategic role than ever. With advances in technology, global bidding processes, and hairpin margins, a construction worker can do well with a background in business or a bachelor’s degree in construction management.

Typical Educational Requirements

It’s important to understand that there are a few different ways you can become a construction manager. You might do it by working your way up in a role or earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in construction management. If you plan on attending a trade school, however, you’ll need a GED or high school diploma to get in.

Trade school options for aspiring construction professionals cover several specialties. For example, you can learn how to become a carpenter, a roofer, operate heavy equipment, or become a mason/bricklayer. Construction management, specifically, is less concerned with fine-tuning your carpentry skills and covers the business side of the job.

Many junior or community colleges offer trade programs, too—which provides a happy medium between traditional college and trade school. There, you can choose to earn an online associate or a certification in construction management, while potentially diving deeper into the hands-on aspects of the vocation.

Typical Certifications Needed

While certifications aren’t required for construction managers, obtaining credentials like Certified Professional Constructor or Certified Construction Manager can boost credibility with clients and employers. These designations demonstrate knowledge of safety, management, regulations, and skills that go beyond basic tasks on the job site.

Some states require contractors to have certifications for tasks like hazardous material removal, while others may seek LEED certification for green building expertise. Most credentials are awarded through professional organizations, offering a range of designations. If you’re interested in certifications, it’s a good idea to explore associations relevant to your area within the construction field.

Academic Standards for a Degree/Certificate

Construction management programs at the vocational or associate level typically admit any student with a GED or high school diploma. Those seeking a bachelor’s degree may need to submit high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation.

Exam or Experience Needed

To earn certifications like OSHA or Certified Construction Manager (CCM), you’ll need field experience or a bachelor’s degree, study for an exam, and pay the associated fees. CCMs must meet work experience requirements and pass an exam. An Associate Construction Certification requires either a bachelor’s degree or specific work experience.

Most certifications ask for college degrees or a certain amount of time in the field. One reason for this is, millennials and Gen Z construction managers/students are expected to earn a degree in a competitive field—traditional college presents a combination of management and business classes, as well as coursework centered around the technology used in the space.

Older workers, or those who go straight into construction after high school, often don’t have a degree in construction management, but these certifications allow experienced workers to advance and demonstrate their skill set.

Construction Management Degree & Certification Options

During our research, we found that construction trade school options generally offer students a way to learn the key components of working in a hands-on role. There aren’t many schools that teach management unless you choose to enter a two or four-year program.

Vocational programs often teach a particular specialty. So, you might opt for a program that focuses on carpentry, green building, masonry, or another area of specialization. As you gain experience, you might choose to become a certified construction manager or project manager by sitting for one of the exams we mentioned above. Or, you can opt to enroll in a degree program.

Here are the main types of Construction trade school programs that can lay the groundwork for a career as a construction manager.

Carpentry
Roofing
Masonry
Project management
Construction contract administration

Alternatively, you might want to investigate pursuing an associate degree online. In this case, you’ll study construction management, project management, or business, as well as learn the best practices associated with the trade.

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Quick Facts: Construction Managers
2023 Median Pay ?The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.	$104,900 per year $50.43 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education ?Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.	Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation ?Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.	None
On-the-job Training ?Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2023 ?The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.	520,900
Job Outlook, 2023-33 ?The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.	9% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 ?The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.	47,600

Potential Careers & Salaries for Construction Management Graduates

As mentioned above, job prospects are expected to look promising for construction managers. While job seekers with a bachelor’s degree tend to be preferred over those who do not have this designation, those with significant experience on the front lines of construction projects as well as those who have held previous leadership roles will do well.

Potential Occupations for Graduates

Construction Project Manager

A construction project manager oversees building projects. However, much of their work is administrative. Typical duties include things like estimating, quality controls, scheduling, and creating employee schedules and deadlines. Project managers are usually given a budget and will use those funds to find the best materials for a project, as well as hiring subcontractors, and more. The ideal candidate knows the ins and outs of construction, particularly where pricing, procurement, and vendors are concerned. But they’re also great with people; tasked with communicating with clients, vendors, and employees.

What’s more, exploring this career path means you won’t be locked into this role until retirement. Instead, project managers can translate their skills into other industries, managing projects in a corporate setting, as well.

Construction Superintendent

A construction superintendent supervises all aspects of a building project. Typical tasks include planning, scheduling, and coordinating construction projects, keeping projects moving on a reasonable time frame, and supervising construction workers on the job.

This role is like that of a project manager, as the superintendent deals with budgets, management, and scheduling. The primary difference, however, is, construction superintendents supervise field work, while project managers typically stay in the office.

Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee buildings, roads, and other structural construction projects. Their role is to select the contractors needed to complete the project, manage the supplies, budget, and materials associated with a project, and supervise direct personnel on the job site. Construction managers are also responsible for enforcing safety measures on site, as well as communicating with clients and employees.

Construction Foreman

A foreman supervises a construction crew on the job. They may make the schedule for their staff and often have the responsibility of making proposals and seeking out new opportunities. While most supervisors work on a full-time basis, there may be breaks in the schedule between projects.

In this role, the foreperson works to hire, fire, and manage staff, and reports to key stakeholders and management about project processes and employee performance.

Additionally, the foreperson works directly with architects, designers, and other involved professionals. They’ll interpret blueprints and relay the plan of attack to their team. Additionally, they will manage supplies, equipment, and materials and plan around a budget.

Choosing an Accredited Institution

The best construction programs may be in a trade school setting. Vocational programs are often more direct, with fewer extra classes compared to traditional degrees. Before enrolling, decide whether to pursue an online associate degree in construction management or a certification program.

Earning an associate degree online at an accredited community college offers benefits: you can take management and accounting classes alongside construction courses and have the option to transfer to a four-year school later. This allows you to gain work experience while continuing your education.

Prospective construction managers should seek out schools that have earning the seal of approval from the American Council for Construction Education. The ACCE sets strict standards for programs, aiming to ensure that students receive an education that positions them as knowledgeable in every facet of construction.

Online vs. On-Campus vs. Hybrid if Available

Unfortunately, becoming a construction manager involves a lot of hands-on training, at least in the beginning. While this is great for those eager to get their hands dirty and learn on the job, time-constrained students may have trouble finding the time to learn. In some cases, students may be able to take related business, accounting, and project management courses online, but construction training will need to be done in person.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Dupree Construction Education Fund Scholarship
Amount: $5,000

Deadline: May 8

The Dupree Construction Education Fund has partnered with the National Housing Endowment to offer qualified construction students a $5,000 scholarship to help with expenses related to an advanced degree in construction. The student should have experience in residential development and intend to become an educator at an ACCE accredited facility.
Construction Education Foundation Scholarships
Amount: $1,125-$10,000

Deadline: Varies

Applicants must have completed at least one year of an associate or baccalaureate program and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Awards are offered based on financial need, as well as academic performance and recommendations.
Construction Trades Scholarship Competition
Amount: $2,500

Deadline: Varies

Each year, the NAWIC Founder’s Scholarship Foundation awards $25k in scholarship funds to construction students attending vocational school or community college. Scholarships are for up to $2,500 each.