To become a construction manager, you'll usually need a bachelor's degree in construction, business, engineering or a related field, plus on-the-job training. Some people get in with a high school diploma and years of trade experience. In the UK you can also take a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, and you'll need a CSCS card to work on site.
Construction managers plan, budget and run building projects from start to finish, keeping work on schedule and on budget. Here's how to get in on both sides of the Atlantic, using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) handbook and the UK National Careers Service, both read in October 2026.
Construction manager routes compared
| US (BLS) | UK (National Careers Service) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical entry | Bachelor's degree in construction, business, engineering or similar | Foundation degree, HND or degree in building, surveying, civil engineering or construction management |
| Earn while you learn | On-the-job training in management techniques | Construction Site Management Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, typically 3 to 4 years |
| Trade route | High school diploma plus several years of experience | Several years in a role such as estimator, surveyor or site supervisor |
| Site card | Not described | CSCS card or equivalent |
| Certification | Optional | Chartered Institute of Building membership is optional |
How to become a construction manager in the US
- Get a relevant degree. BLS lists construction, business and engineering. Large firms may prefer candidates with both a construction-related degree and construction experience.
- Build site experience. Internships and junior roles teach you how projects run in practice.
- Learn on the job. BLS says construction managers learn management techniques through on-the-job training.
- Consider certification. It isn't required, but it shows a particular level of knowledge and experience.
The trade route and its catch
You can get in without a degree. BLS says people with a high school diploma and several years in a construction trade can qualify. Here's the catch, though: BLS adds that they're more likely to work as self-employed general contractors than to be hired as construction managers.
That fits the employer data. Self-employed workers are the biggest group of construction managers, at 38% of the 609,100 jobs in 2025. So if you're coming up through a trade, running your own projects may be a more realistic first step than applying to a large firm.
How to become a construction manager in the UK
- University: a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in building studies, building engineering, surveying, civil engineering, construction engineering, construction site management or estimating. The Chartered Institute of Building accredits courses.
- Degree apprenticeship: the Construction Site Management Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship or the Design and Construction Management Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. These typically take 3 to 4 years.
- Working up: moving across after several years as an estimator, building technician, surveyor or site supervisor.
- Direct application: if you've got several years' management experience in a related industry such as civil engineering.
Whichever route you take, the National Careers Service says you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
What construction managers earn
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $114,990 for construction managers in May 2025, and many also earn bonuses depending on the business they bring in. The type of building makes a big difference:
| Sector (US, May 2025) | Share of jobs (%) | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nonresidential building construction | 15 | $126,690 |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 8 | $124,430 |
| Specialty trade contractors | 17 | $104,100 |
| Residential building construction | 9 | $98,390 |
Commercial and civil projects paid far more than housebuilding. If you're choosing where to start, that's worth knowing, and I'd aim to get early experience in the sector you want to stay in.
Job outlook
BLS projects construction manager jobs to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, from 609,100 to 664,300, with about 49,700 openings a year. That's much faster than the average for all occupations.
What the job is like
BLS says construction managers may have a main office but spend most of their time in a field office on site. If you manage several projects, you'll travel between sites, sometimes out of state and away from home for long stretches.
Good scheduling is half the job. My guide to what project management involves in construction covers the planning side, and my roundup of construction scheduling software shows the tools managers use to keep projects on track.
Skills that help
- planning and scheduling, so trades arrive in the right order
- budgeting and keeping costs under control
- leadership, because you're directing crews and subcontractors
- problem solving when weather, deliveries or design changes throw the plan out
- clear communication with clients, architects and engineers
The UK National Careers Service also points to the Chartered Institute of Building for professional recognition, contacts and development, and Go Construct for more on careers in the industry. If you're still at school, it's worth looking at both before you pick a course, because they'll show you which roles you can move through on the way up.
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My verdict
The degree is the most direct way in, and in the UK the Level 6 degree apprenticeship lets you earn while you study. The trade route works too, but go in knowing it often leads to running your own jobs rather than a manager title at a big firm. And if pay matters, aim for commercial or civil projects.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be a construction manager?
Usually. BLS says construction managers typically need a bachelor's degree, although some with a high school diploma and years of trade experience qualify, often as self-employed general contractors.
How long does a construction management degree apprenticeship take?
The National Careers Service says the Level 6 degree apprenticeships in construction site management or design and construction management typically take 3 to 4 years.
How much do construction managers make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $114,990 for construction managers in May 2025. Nonresidential building construction paid a median of $126,690.
Do construction managers need a CSCS card?
In the UK, yes. The National Careers Service says you'll need a CSCS card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
Is construction management a growing career?
Yes. BLS projects 9% job growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 49,700 openings a year.
