by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love building things? Do you have a vision for the big picture and the ability to manage all the parts that make your vision a reality? Construction Management may be a field of interest to you.
Constructing a building takes planning, specialized knowledge and skills in management. Many things can go wrong, and many unplanned complications can occur. This is what makes Construction Managers so essential. They handle everything, from managing the crew, reading blueprints, and meeting deadlines. Students who pursue a major in Construction Management will learn how to schedule, supervise, and budget various projects.
While focusing on this major you will be taking classes in architecture, civil engineering, blueprint reading, real estate, and engineering technology. The major is available as either an Associates of a Bachelor's degree. Students with prior work experience may only need to obtain their Associates, however Bachelor's degrees tend to lend themselves to higher paying positions with more responsibility.
A degree in Construction Management explores Construction Management. Read on to learn the key facts every construction management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering construction management programs.
Nationwide, construction management is a popular field of study, with 4,247 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Construction Management Schools ranking analyzes these 139 schools to determine the best overall colleges for construction management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of construction management programs later in this article.
Studies in Construction Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations construction management graduates commonly enter.
Construction Management can be a very exciting field, as every project consists of building something new. Mathematical and Scientific skills are needed in order to be successful within this field. You will be working with budgets, time estimations and multiple schedules; keeping everything going requires time management and the ability to multitask.
Prior work experience is highly regarded in this field. You may wish to find a part time job doing construction to get hands-on experience in the field. You can also seek internships while in college in order to gain experience and better understanding of construction.
Skills developed in a construction management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a construction management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several construction management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 94 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 500 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,931 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 716 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to construction management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.3% |
| Some college courses | 8.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.2% |
| Master’s degree | 7.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in construction management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Construction Management can lead to many different career options. One quickly growing job field is that of a Construction and Building Inspector. In this job you will make sure that all construction, repairs and changes to locations are legal and comply with codes.
Some graduates are interested in pursuing work as Drafter, converting designs made by engineers and architects into technical drawings and plans. Other options include becoming construction managers, electricians, architects, and property managers.
Majoring in construction management prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to construction management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to construction management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Project Management Specialists | 68,476 | -2.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of construction management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $73,015 |
| 4 years | $82,569 |
| 5 years | $93,031 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for construction management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers construction management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Managers | $83,791 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Project Management Specialists | $64,559 |
With 139 different construction management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased construction management school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in construction management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Construction Management, General | 4,235 |
| Construction Project Management | 12 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 402,942 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 81,835 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 62,236 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 57,976 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 57,564 |
| Marketing | 53,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 25,424 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 16,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 14,306 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,333 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
