Home • Education Center • Vocational • Construction

If you think you might like working outdoors and giving direction to groups of workers, then you should enjoy a career in the construction industry. Two of the most popular career choices in the construction field are construction manager and construction engineer. Construction managers supervise projects as they are being constructed, and construction engineers make sure the building remains standing after it is completed.

How to Get Started in a Construction Career

While it is not required, most construction managers have a four-year degree, and many employers now prefer that it be a construction degree. While attending school, students receive construction training and learn management practices. Many construction managers find construction business classes to be helpful for their career. Construction engineers also have a four-year degree, with many having graduate degrees. Students take classes in construction engineering, mathematics, computers, and other subjects helpful in the engineering field. Construction engineers and managers have some of the highest salaries in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that engineers working in construction have a median annual salary of about $76,590, with the highest 10 percent making about $118,320. Construction managers do even better, with a median annual salary of about $76,590 and the highest 10 percent making around $151,630 per year. Salaries vary based on experience and training. Employment growth for construction engineers and managers is expected to be better than average over the next decade. Opportunities for civil engineers are projected to grow by as much as 24 percent, and construction manager opportunities are expected to grow by as much as 17 percent.