Imagine what it takes to build a condo, convention center, factory, road, bridge or any other large structure. One thing is for sure — major construction projects like these require a team leader who can bring together countless and varied parts, processes and people.
Who’s the leader that orchestrates this production? Who communicates information to everyone involved? Who makes sure that no matter what problems arise, work continues and the project gets done? A construction project manager, that’s who.
“There's a solution to everything,” says David Westmoreland, a now-retired project manager and estimator for Regency NW Construction and a former instructor for the UW Certificate in Construction Management. “As a construction project manager, you’ve just got to find it.”
WHAT DOES A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER DO?
As a construction project manager, your tasks on a typical day might include estimating change orders, adjusting subcontractor work schedules, or joining your field superintendent to tour a job site. Perhaps you’ll write a report for the owner about the project’s progress, or meet with architects and engineers to check and revise blueprints.
Another day might begin with a team huddle, when you bring together electricians and carpenters to share guidance on revised plans, followed by a meeting with the safety manager about the project’s safety performance. You might even visit City Hall to pick up permits and talk with building officials about inspection schedules.
And then there are the inevitable unforeseen challenges you’ll work with your field superintendent to resolve — these could be anything from work delays to site security to effects of inclement weather on job-site conditions.
WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO BECOME A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER?
Because a construction project manager’s responsibilities are so varied, succeeding in this role requires a broad understanding of the design and construction process. You’ll also need techniques you can use to approach problem-solving — and great communication skills.
Common Job Titles
Construction Manager, Project Manager, Construction Superintendent, Field Superintendent, Construction Management Supervisor, Project Engineer, Field Engineer, Site Manager
Projected Growth
U.S. (2024-34): 9%
Washington state (2022-32): 18%
Median Annual salary
U.S. (2024): $106,980
Washington state (2024): $136,180
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET
“You’re accountable as a central coordinator who receives, analyzes and distributes information,” Westmoreland says. “The owner, the architect, engineers and others involved with the project need you to be well organized and ready to communicate firsthand information. The project team is relying on your leadership and direction.”
According to labor analytics firm Lightcast, employers are also looking for construction project managers who have related business skills, including budgeting, planning, procurement, quality assurance and risk management.
People who thrive in construction project management include Sara Angus, director of construction, Starbucks Coffee Company, US Licensed Stores. She says dealing with a variety of challenges is part of what she enjoys about the job.
“I like that it's constantly a changing environment, with new technologies, whether it be in the field or in the office,” says Angus, a former instructor in the UW Certificate in Construction Management. “I feel fortunate to work through the entire life of the project — from the architect’s napkin drawings to a fully designed set of project plans, to breaking ground and turning over the keys of the building to the owner.”
WHAT’S THE DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS IN WASHINGTON AND THE U.S.?
Construction is a cyclical industry. Currently, there’s high demand for the expertise of a construction project manager skill set almost everywhere.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that in the next decade, jobs for construction managers are will increase by 9% in the United States. In Washington state, that’s double — jobs are expected to grow here as much as 18% through 2032.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER?
You need both education and experience to build a career as a construction project manager. Some people come to the profession right out of college with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, architecture, engineering or a related subject. Many more make a lateral move from another industry or a different role in construction — for example, as a craftsperson moving to a management position.
Whichever path you take, formal training in managing construction projects, such as the UW Certificate in Construction Management or a master’s degree, can help you take a big career step forward. It’s also ideal to find ways to train in the field, where you can apply what you’ve learned and gain some on-the-job experience.
One way to get some field training: seek guidance from an experienced project manager or field superintendent. They may give you a start as a project engineer or field engineer, processing paperwork in the job trailer, and taking photos and recording daily field reports to document job progress. Experiences like this can be valuable to observe firsthand how the parts and pieces of a construction project come together.
“You're going to be in the trenches learning the sequence of work and how it all comes together,” Westmoreland explains. “And that’s a good thing, because if you’re given a job managing construction, you’ll have an understanding — a foundation, pun intended — to be successful in this line of work.”
Depending on your professional background, it might take several years to gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to handle the complexities and responsibilities of managing an entire construction project.
But as certificate grad Chythra Puttaraju can tell you, earning a certificate may help you get started more quickly — after she completed the UW Certificate in Construction Management, she landed two job offers and accepted a position at a large Seattle construction company, where she put her knowledge to work right away as a project engineer.
GET STARTED OR ADVANCE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
If you’re looking to start or further your career in construction management, check out these UW programs: