Employment of construction managers is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Construction managers will be needed as the level and variety of construction projects expands. Population and business growth will result in new construction of residential dwellings, office buildings, retail outlets, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other structures.
In addition to new construction projects, a growing emphasis on retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient should create additional jobs for construction managers. The need to address portions of the national infrastructure will also spur employment growth, as roads, bridges, and sewer pipe systems are upgraded or replaced.
As building construction companies’ budgets remain tight, firms increasingly will focus on hiring specialized construction managers to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. In addition, construction processes and building technology are becoming more complex, requiring greater oversight and spurring demand for specialized management personnel. Sophisticated technology, worker safety, environmental protection, and new laws setting standards for building and construction material also will drive employment growth.
Job opportunities for qualified jobseekers are expected to be good. Those with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering, coupled with construction experience, will have the best job prospects.
Employment growth will provide many new job openings. A substantial number of construction managers are expected to retire over the next decade, resulting in additional job opportunities.
Employment of construction managers, like that of many other construction workers, is sensitive to fluctuations in the economy. On the one hand, workers in these trades may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls. On the other hand, peak periods of building activity may produce abundant job opportunities for construction managers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition