If you’re thinking of becoming a construction manager, you might wonder how much time you need to commit to a full-time job. Is it possible for construction managers to maintain a work-life balance with the hours that they work? How many hours do they work anyway?
Most construction managers work an average of about 50 hours each week. This weekly average can increase to 60 or even 80 hours if a project workload gets particularly heavy. Sometimes, to get a project completed before the deadline, they also have to work after hours and on weekends.
To learn more about how many hours construction managers work and the median salary you can expect if you pursue this profession, keep reading!
How Many Hours Do Construction Managers Work?
Typically, a construction manager works during the weekdays for approximately 10 hours each day. Sometimes, they stay longer than that, and they may even work on the weekends occasionally. However, weekend work is not a common practice because it reduces productivity and morale.
Normally, construction managers are paid according to a fifty-hour work week without accounting for any leave taken. In the case of overtime, pay is calculated based on the number of additional hours worked.
The specific number of hours construction managers will have to work depends on the companies where they work. If the company has a policy to ensure that workers get off on time and are treated fairly, they may be able to work a standard nine-to-five schedule.
Other companies might prioritize results over their worker’s health, resulting in long, arduous hours. It is important to choose a credible company to work with that treats its workers well to achieve a work-life balance.
Although some companies might claim to have a good working culture, you very likely will get laid off if a project is not completed before its due date. This might necessitate working overtime even if you don’t want to do so.
During a project, you are also required to be on-call and easily accessible 24/7. If you have the habit of putting your phone away after the workday, this job is not for you.
On the whole, the construction field demands long hours to get tangible results. This might put some people off of the job. Besides that, even if a project seems to be going smoothly, many variables could go wrong and cause a manager to work longer hours.
Do Construction Managers Have a Work-Life Balance?
Construction managers do not have a work-life balance. As a manager, you are required to dedicate significant time to your projects. It is your responsibility to plan everything so that the project goes smoothly and to tackle sudden pitfalls that might arise.
Even when you’re not at work, you’re going to be thinking about work because of the constant stream of information you get from both clients and workers.
Generally, managers working in any field lack a work-life balance. Unless you love the construction industry, you’re going to be burnt out very soon.
Unlike laborers, construction managers are the first people on the site and the last to leave. This is because they have to assess the site, weather conditions, respond to clients, and gather enough intel to tell their workers what to do and how to do it.
How Much Do Construction Managers Get Paid?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a construction manager makes a median salary of $97,180 per year and approximately $46.72 per hour. To become a construction manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in construction science or engineering.
According to US News, the best cities for high-paying construction management jobs are as follows:
- Vineland, New Jersey
- New York City, New York
- Atlanta City, New Jersey
- San Jose, California
- Trenton, New Jersey
However, if you don’t live in these cities, this doesn’t mean you cannot make a high salary as a construction manager.
Is Being a Construction Manager a Good Profession?
Being a construction manager is a good profession because there will always be construction projects, and someone will always need to manage them. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics also notes that construction management jobs are expected to grow 8%, a much quicker rate than some other professions.
This means that you won’t be facing as much competition from other people for a single job because the number of jobs is increasing. With construction activity expanding, more and more construction managers are needed.
Besides this, construction management is a complicated field that will always be needed, meaning those looking to work in this industry will not need to fear AI taking over their jobs.
Being a construction manager is the best job in the construction industry, according to US News. It’s also one of the more highly-paid jobs in the United States, ranking 52 out of the 100 best jobs to have.
Unlike laborers who have to work in the field, construction managers have their own offices and do not have to stay on their feet 24/7. However, that does not mean that this is a cushy desk job. While managers do stay in the office frequently for administrative tasks like planning or meeting with clients, they are also out in the field, going to different sites to see how the project is going and offer constructive criticism.
Although it is very emotionally satisfying to watch a project come together, it can also be very stressful having to manage time constraints, budgets, and unexpected changes in scope. If you’re a perfectionist who needs things to pan out a certain way after you have decided on their course, this job is not for you.
As a construction manager, you should be able to adapt easily to unexpected situations and be comfortable communicating with a wide variety of different people.
Therefore, beyond the salary, whether being a construction manager is a good profession or not depends on your personality and your ability to handle the challenges that the job will throw at you.
Final Thoughts
Being a construction manager is a busy and all-consuming job. However, the industry is quickly growing and the demand for construction managers will increase as well. Most construction managers are expected to work weekdays and can have shifts up to 10 hours each day. If you’re looking for a job with shorter hours and a work-life balance, then this job might not be for you.
