5 Jobs You Can Get with a Construction Management Degree

Even with rising prices and material shortages, the pace of new construction continues to increase. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the level of single-family housing starts will be about 24% higher than it was in 2019, and the construction industry will need to add 740,000 workers a year to account for industry growth and yearly retirements. That means there should be more jobs in Construction Management. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reports that Construction Managers are among the top three hardest skilled workers to find.

With a Construction Management degree, you can take your career in many directions. Here are just a few examples of the types of jobs you might find in the field of Construction Management:

1. Construction Manager

As a Construction Manager, you plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects, whether it’s a small home renovation or a large commercial building. Your responsibilities include:

• Follow the architect’s and engineer’s plans and make sure the new building complies with all specifications
• Hire construction workers or arrange for subcontractors
• Ensure compliance with local and federal building codes
• Arrange for onsite equipment and operators
• Follow all safety regulations for the construction workers
• Ensure the project comes in on time and on budget

As a construction manager, you might report to a main office but you would spend most of your time in a field office onsite so you could monitor projects and make decisions about construction activities.

2. Construction Project Manager

As a Construction Project Manager, you track the progress of a new building from start to finish. Using construction management software that you will learn about in a college degree program, you will track, publish, and share the status of each step in the project. Your main duties are to:

• Plan the construction project schedule with timelines and milestones
• Coordinate all construction meetings to discuss inspections, communicate requirements, and manage expectations
• Communicate the scheduling plan with all parties involved to ensure completion as designed
• Provide potential solutions to obstacles in a timely manner
• Create progress reports and include photos
• Alert the construction manager or building owner of any issues that will increase costs or extend the job’s timeline

3. Construction Cost Estimator

Construction Cost Estimators collect and analyze data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labor required to construct a building. You would likely specialize in a particular industry such as manufacturing, new homes, or office buildings. Your responsibilities include:

• Use construction estimation software to collect and publish data regarding the potential costs of a new building
• Validate the project’s Scope of Work, a document that lays out the entirety of work that needs to be done to complete the building project
• Compile a list of materials needed and determine estimated costs
• Work with equipment vendors, contractors, and labor unions to determine material prices and labor rates
• Adjust costs to account for profit, overhead, and indirect costs
• Estimating requires extreme attention to detail and accuracy. Experience in construction design as an engineer or architect will be very helpful to become an effective cost estimator.

 4. Construction Inspector

As a construction Inspector you ensure that the project meets local and national building codes, ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Responsibilities include:

• Review plans for new construction before a structure is built to identify potential problems early in the process.
• Check the structural integrity and safety of a building, and determine if the materials used are appropriate and comply with standards
• Ensure the building can withstand engineering demands and environmental stresses such as hurricanes and tornadoes
• Keep up to date on the latest additions or removals to building codes

5. Construction Project Engineer

Construction Project Engineers combine the skills of a business manager with the technical know-how of an engineer. You serve as a conduit between the client, architects, construction crew and many subcontractors to make sure a construction project proceeds accurately and smoothly. Here are some of the job responsibilities:

• Assess the suitability of a construction site
• Use software to create 3D models of bridges, dams, homes, buildings, and airports
• Protect the environment during construction
• Monitor construction site safety
• Ensure regulatory compliance

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Construction Management jobs is expected to increase much faster than average through 2029. To work in construction management, you usually need a Bachelor’s Degree.

At National American University, we offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management that will help prepare you for a rewarding career. Do you already have some experience or a certificate in a construction or business 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.