Why We Need More Women in Construction Management

There has rarely been a better time for women to work in Construction Management. New houses and office buildings continue to go up, and homeowners seem to have an unending supply of renovation projects they want to complete. Builders everywhere complain that they do not have enough qualified managers to handle all the work they would like to schedule.

But did you know that only about 10% of all construction workers in the U.S. are women? Yet those women who do enter the field often find it both rewarding and lucrative. The median salary for the profession is more than $95,000 per year and demand for construction management jobs is expected to increase much faster than average through 2029. Even better news for women entering the field is that unlike most professions, the gender pay gap in construction occupations is minimal. Women earn 99.1 percent of their male counterparts.

What Does a Construction Manager Do?

As a Construction Manager, you would plan, coordinate, budget, and monitor building projects from start to finish. You might work out of a main office but you’re more likely to spend most of your time working on a construction site. That’s where you would monitor the project and make daily decisions about construction activities, making sure deadlines are met and responding to any emergencies.

To be a construction manager, you will want to start with a bachelor’s degree, but you can expect to learn additional management techniques through on-the-job training. Large construction firms increasingly prefer candidates with both construction experience and a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field.

Why Is There a Current Shortage of Construction Managers?

A recent survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America ranked construction managers among the top three hardest skilled worker positions to fill. The report also noted that many leaders in the field believe the limited supply of field managers creates risky environments.

Managers are in short supply as a result of increased demand for new construction, an aging workforce and a dwindling supply of new talent. During the 2008 recession, many construction workers decided to pursue different careers. Other possible reasons for the shortage include a lack of planning for the future and budget cut that resulted in fewer trainees. But what is bad news for employers trying to find qualified workers, could be good news for you.

Why Women Should Consider a Construction Management Career

Construction projects require a high-level of collaboration to be successful. Adding individuals with an inclination toward this type of communication improves overall workforce productivity. Often those people are women. A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that more women in leadership positions are helpful for a company’s overall collaboration because women are more likely to work cooperatively than men.

Also, companies that have diversity in management have a distinct advantage when they go to bid on contracts, particularly those with federal funding. Many projects favor minority and women-owned businesses and that can give a company the edge it needs to win the bid.

At National American University, we offer an online Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management that will help prepare you for a rewarding career. It can provide you with knowledge and skills around the diverse aspects of residential and commercial construction projects. You’ll learn how to effectively manage and supervise projects, including key aspects like planning, controlling, scheduling, and monitoring the various phases.  Do you already have some experience or a certificate in a construction field? You may be able to transfer those credits to your degree program so you can start ahead. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to a counselor or fill out the form to request more information.