How to Pursue a Career as a Construction Site Manager
Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser
If you are looking for a career with a great salary and excellent growth opportunities, construction project management might be the perfect fit.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career prospects in construction management are exceptional, with a pay rate more than double the national average and an expected growth rate almost three times the average rate for other careers.
This kind of professional oversees activities and manages employees on building sites. They may be asked to lead crews of trade professionals, track large budgets, coordinate with subcontractors, design employee communication and more — all while keeping workers safe and meeting project deadlines.
The building industry is looking for individuals with leadership skills and the right combination of education and training for site supervision. Getting the right education and experience takes focus and determination. However, once you have the right knowledge and qualifications under your belt, you can become a construction manager (CM) and fulfill your career goals.
This is an exciting career path, one on which you can earn an excellent income while helping build structures that will serve the community for years — decades — to come. In this guide, we explore the steps you can take to get a CM job and stand out as a strong applicant.
Education Requirements for Construction Managers
There are several important qualifications and skills that you will need to pursue this career path, including:
Schooling
The BLS states that successful candidates for these positions typically have bachelor's degrees. There are exceptions, such as highly qualified candidates with high school diplomas and multiple years of relevant background experience. But they are more likely to work as self-employed general contractors.
While it is possible to work your way up to become a construction manager without a degree, earning a bachelor's degree in construction management makes it much easier to achieve your goals.
However, if you have significant experience and are interested in working on smaller projects and being self-employed, you may be able to get a job without a degree.
One thing you can be certain of, though, is that the better educated you are in vital areas like project scheduling, construction materials and building codes and regulations, the more attractive you will be to employers.
Certifications and Credentials
Certifications provide a concrete way to demonstrate your knowledge in key areas. Site manager roles might call for qualifications like:
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM): Offered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), this is a voluntary qualification for those that meet the organization's standards for "formal education, field experience and demonstrated capability and understanding of the CMAA body of knowledge."
- Certified Professional Constructor (CPC): The American Institute of Constructors (AIC) offers two levels of certification, the Certified Associate Constructor (CAC) and the CPC. The CAC is considered the Level-1 certification for aspiring industry professionals and the CPC is considered the Level-2 certification for experienced professionals seeking management roles.
- OSHA 30-Hour DOL Card: This federally backed program trains workers to recognize, avoid, prevent and abate hazards in the workplace. Successful completion of an OSHA 30-Hour Construction course demonstrates that you have mastered basic safety guidelines found in 29 CFR 1926. Doing so also earns you an official OSHA 30 card from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Technical Knowledge
To gain employment in a manager position, you will need to wear many hats on the jobsite. You will have to manage or assist with a variety of tasks, including:
- Scheduling
- Risk management
- Building codes
- Contract documentation
- Material specifications
- Safety standards
- Cost estimation
- Budget management
- Construction contracts
- And more
If you opt for a university education, your major will include courses that cover most of these areas. For the subjects that are not covered in your classes, you can seek other professional training. We offer a wide range of courses that can help you prepare for your new role and can provide guidance on which courses are best for your specific needs.
4 Steps to Become a Construction Site Manager
Now that you know the basic criteria necessary to work in this position, let's explore how to become a construction manager in greater detail.
1. Get an Education
Prospective managers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different career goals. The most straightforward path to long-term success as a CM is to get a bachelor's degree in construction management or a related field like civil engineering, building science or architecture.
You don't have to be an engineer or architect to work as a site manager, but it certainly helps if you have the aptitude.
It's worth noting that some employers will hire CMs with a two-year associate degree and enough work experience. If you are on the fence when choosing between pursuing a bachelor's and an associate degree, remember that a bachelor's degree will likely make it easier to advance in your career over the long term.
Take your time evaluating universities or other instructors. The best programs will have relationships with companies in your area and can help you with job placement.
Whether it is a college or a university, make sure that the organization is appropriately accredited or licensed before you sign up. A full university education costs a lot. Make a plan to afford your degree.
Coordinate with the school's financial aid office for information and details about common expenses. The office may be able to help you secure loans, grants or other resources based on your situation to ensure you have the funding you need.
A master's degree is the next step after a bachelor's degree and can help you move up in the construction industry and become a project manager or another advanced position in which you will supervise others, but it's not necessarily required.
2. Earn Certificates
Each employer can set their own requirements for potential CMs. Some only require a degree, while others want a degree plus specific licensing or certification.
Even if a certificate is not required, it's still a good idea. Getting one or more licenses and certifications can help you stand out from the competition. Some are only available after you build some on-the-job experience, so look for options that match your qualifications at the moment.
Consider the following options:
CAC
The CAC is the first level of certification from the AIC. It's designed for recent graduates of a four-year construction management program or those transitioning into a CM role from another industry. To earn the certification, you must take a test that includes 300 multiple-choice questions taken over two four-hour sessions on a single day.
The test covers 10 separate sections designed to show your mastery of core job functions. The AIC offers the exam twice a year in more than 60 locations across the country.
OSHA 30
The OSHA 30 card is a major qualification for any manager or supervisor within the construction industry. This 30-hour Outreach Training program teaches the most important elements of worksite safety according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This comprehensive class explores subjects like:
- Fall protection
- Electrocution
- Struck-by hazards
- Caught-in or -between hazards
- Health risks
- Material handling
- Tools (hand and power)
- Managing safety and health
- Stairways and ladders
- Fire protection and prevention
- Welding and cutting
- Scaffolds
- Cranes
- Excavation
- Concrete and masonry
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Confined space entry
- Signs, signals and barricades
Earning your OSHA 30 card is an excellent way to demonstrate to potential employers that you are serious about site safety and understand what it takes to protect yourself and others at work.
While not mandatory on the federal level, your state, local government or employer might require CMs to earn this credential.
3. Build Your Training
Some college and university programs help you start real practical training while you are still in school. These first chances and trial periods are often called internships or an equivalent term. An internship is a valuable learning opportunity for students who have nearly completed all needed classes and are almost ready to begin their profession.
You can expect to get plenty of hands-on help in your first position. Companies want to be sure you have the basic skills to do the job before they turn you loose to make all your own decisions.
Prior experience can help you get even more out of one of these supervised opportunities. But it isn't required.
Some individuals choose to take a more self-directed path instead of an internship, but it's fine to lean on structured university programs, too. Whatever path you choose, the more you can practice, the better.
4. Apply for Jobs
With your education and certifications under your belt, you are ready to search for and apply for jobs. Your college or university program might be able to help you with this stage of the process. Many of them have departments that can help with crafting a resume, applying and interviewing for positions.
The most abundant and best-paying CM positions are often found in major metropolitan areas. That doesn't mean you can't find a good job in a more rural setting. Just be prepared to adjust your expectations for local conditions.
Let OSHA Education Center Help You Prepare for Your New Career
You can start preparing for your career in construction management today. Our online workplace safety courses offer the most convenient path to start your journey. We offer a wide range of courses to suit your needs, ranging from OSHA-authorized instruction to short awareness-level lessons.
We are an authorized provider of the following DOL-backed outreach programs, among others:
- OSHA 30 for Construction: As outlined above, this 30-hour course focuses on the safety expectations and needs of those working on building sites. It also focuses on managerial duties and high-level safety decisions. It is an essential foundation upon which your specialized training will build.
- OSHA 30 for General Industry: This 30-hour course focuses on the safety requirements for an extensive list of non-construction industries, including factories, commercial warehouses, health care facilities and educational institutions.
- OSHA 30 en Español: We also offer our most popular courses in Spanish, including both our OSHA 30 para la Construcción en Español and OSHA 30 para la Industria General en Español courses.
The official Outreach Training system is only available for workers overseen by OSHA. If you are an international worker who does not qualify for OSHA-authorized Outreach Training, you can take this course to develop the same skills.
Our goal is to help you get the education you need in a manner that fits your busy lifestyle. That's why all our courses are available 100% online. Some of the advantages of training with us include:
- Automatic progress saving
- Course materials are available 24/7 from any internet-connected device
- High-quality instruction designed by industry experts
- Instant certificate downloads for many courses
The path to becoming a construction manager is challenging but rewarding. We are excited to help you on your journey. Enroll in one of our courses today to get started!