Construction Management graduates earn $95,124 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 9.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Construction Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Construction Management as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Business and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Construction Management is a focused area of study within Business. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $95,124 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 169 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 4,158 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$72,745
Median Earnings · 4yr
$95,124
Colleges Offering
169
Graduates / Year
4,158
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,133
How Much Do Construction Management Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Construction Management, a typical graduate earns $95,124, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $77,072 and $115,179, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$95,124
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$93,431
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Construction Management graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.
$77,07225th pct.
$95,124Median
$115,17975th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $95,124 against an estimated $76,532 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 98 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 4,158 students who complete Construction Management programs each year, the majority (75%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
75%
Bachelor's75%
Associate's12%
Master's8%
What Can You Do With a Construction Management Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Construction Management graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Construction Managers pay the most at $114,990/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Management of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningCoordinationComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.
Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
Develop or implement quality control programs.
Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Top Colleges for Construction Management
Not sure where to study Construction Management? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Construction Management graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Business Programs
Construction Management is not the only path through Business: 21 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Construction Management program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Construction Management a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $95,124 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $72,745 at graduation to $95,124 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +9.1% over the next decade, with Construction Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 133,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Construction Management Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Construction Management graduates earn?
$95,124 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $77,072 and $115,179, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Construction Management degree?
$72,745 in the first year out. That grows to $95,124 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Construction Management degree?
Construction Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $114,990 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Construction Management program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Construction Management bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Construction Management?
169 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Construction Management degree worth it?
$95,124 median earnings four years out against $19,133 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Construction Management and Business?
Construction Management is the narrower of the two: Business covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Construction Management-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Construction Management graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Construction Management graduates consistently look for financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Construction Management graduates?
It depends on the program. An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths into management and strategy roles, but the return is strongest at selective schools with strong recruiting pipelines, not everywhere. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Construction Management graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Construction Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +9.1%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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