Construction Managers

(NOC 0711)

in All Management

Construction managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a construction company or a construction department within a company, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. A general contractor manages construction projects from start to finish according to schedule, specifications, and budget. They work for residential, commercial and industrial construction companies and by construction departments of companies outside the construction industry.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 440 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Management

  • Estimate 2445 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5900 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$20.00

Minimum

$39.00

Median

$64.90

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,950

Minimum

$57,844

Median

$132,531

Maximum

Compared to: All Management

Hourly Pay

$22.50

Minimum

$43.80

Median

$66.20

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,632

Minimum

$55,002

Median

$124,014

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Construction managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities of a construction company or a construction department within a company, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. A general contractor manages construction projects from start to finish according to schedule, specifications, and budget. They work for residential, commercial and industrial construction companies and by construction departments of companies outside the construction industry.

Job duties

Construction managers:

  • Manage construction projects from start to finish according to schedule, specifications and budget.
  • Prepare construction project budget estimates.
  • Plan construction schedules and milestones and track progress.
  • Prepare contracts and negotiate changes to contracts with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers and subcontractors.
  • Develop and implement quality control programs.
  • Represent company on matters like business services and union contracts negotiation.
  • Prepare progress reports and issue progress schedules to clients.
  • Direct the purchase of building materials and land.
  • Hire and supervise the activities of subcontractors and subordinate staff.

Sample job titles

  • construction assistant manager
  • construction expediter
  • construction general contractor
  • construction manager
  • construction project coordinator
  • construction project manager
  • construction site manager
  • construction superintendent

Skills

  • You should have good interpersonal skills as well as effective spoken and written communication skills. Leadership qualities and the ability to motivate others are important. You should also be able to organize projects, solve problems, and make decisions.

Job requirements

  • A university degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
  • A master's degree in project management may be necessary.
  • Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.

Other considerations

  • Several years of experience in the construction industry, including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent, are usually necessary. Extensive experience may substitute for post-secondary education requirements. Movement to senior management positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,740

employed in 2016

95.1%

employed full-time

31.3%

self employed

8.9%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
91.1%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
50.1

median age

Compared to: All Management

44,250

employed in 2016

91.2%

employed full-time

18.9%

self employed

40.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
59.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
48.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

54.7%

Halifax

$64,024 median annual income
14.0%

North Shore

$57,546 median annual income
13.2%

Annapolis Valley

$52,506 median annual income
10.0%

Southern

$35,246 median annual income
8.0%

Cape Breton

$73,393 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

81.0%

Construction

2.9%

Professional, scientific and technical services

2.6%

Public administration

2.6%

Retail trade

2.6%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

45-54

27.0%

55-64

21.0%

35-44

17.0%

25-34

7.0%

65+

2.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Management

30.7%

45-54

23.1%

35-44

21.7%

55-64

14.0%

25-34

7.8%

65+

Top levels of education

22.4%

College Diploma

$63,708 median annual income
20.7%

Trade Certification

$44,701 median annual income
19.5%

High school

$53,398 median annual income
19.5%

Bachelor

$61,954 median annual income
10.3%

Less than high school

$37,554 median annual income

Compared to: All Management

27.2%

Bachelor

$71,875 median annual income
23.8%

High school

$42,294 median annual income
20.4%

College Diploma

$50,256 median annual income
9.1%

Master

$93,261 median annual income
7.2%

Trade Certification

$44,396 median annual income

Education & training

Civil Engineering - General

University Program

These programs prepare students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of structural, load-bearing, material moving, transportation, water resource, and material control systems, and environmental safety measures.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Construction Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to manage, coordinate, and supervise the construction process from concept development through project completion on timely and economic bases. They include courses in all types of construction, facilities management, project planning, budgeting and cost control, logistics and materials management, personnel management and labour relations, site safety, construction contracting, construction processes and techniques, organization and scheduling, and applicable codes and regulations.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Project Management

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to apply quantitative and qualitative knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to manage projects in a wide range of fields and occupations. They include courses in project planning, risk management, cost and time management, contracts and procurement, accounting, statistics, decision making, and human resources.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Canadian Institute of Management - Maritimes
Various, NS
Nova Scotia Construction Safety Council
Dartmouth, NS
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
Halifax, NS
Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.