Construction Managers

ANZSCO ID 1331

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
123,300
Future Growth
10.2%
Weekly Earnings
$3,497
Full-Time Share
86%
Female Share
7%
Average age
44

Summary

Construction Managers plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the construction of civil engineering projects, buildings and dwellings, and the physical and human resources involved in building and construction.

Tasks

  • interpreting architectural drawings and specifications

  • coordinating labour resources, and procurement and delivery of materials, plant and equipment

  • consulting with Architects, Engineering Professionals and other professionals, and Technical and Trades Workers

  • negotiating with building owners, property developers and subcontractors involved in the construction process to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget

  • preparing tenders and contract bids

  • operating and implementing coordinated work programs for sites

  • ensuring adherence to building legislation and standards of performance, quality, cost and safety

  • arranging submission of plans to local authorities

  • building under contract, or subcontracting specialised building services

  • overseeing the standard and progress of subcontractors' work

  • arranging building inspections by local authorities

Characteristics

Job Type
Managers
Skill Level
Very high skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Below average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • University
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Informal or on-the-job
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
  • Enterprising
Physical Demand
  • Sedentary

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:

  • is expected to grow strongly
  • is likely to reach 123,300 by 2026.
  • Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

    Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.

    Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.

Projected Change
10.2%
(or 11,400 jobs)
From
111,900
in 2021
To
123,300
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 80,300
2012 65,800
2013 76,100
2014 76,900
2015 79,000
2016 91,900
2017 105,300
2018 105,400
2019 110,100
2020 108,400
2021 111,900
2026 123,300

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 89% of people employed as Construction Managers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).

    Median full-time earnings are $3,497 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $2,724
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $4,440

    Median hourly earnings are $78, this is much more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

    Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Earnings Construction Managers All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 3,497 1,593
Total Earnings 0 0

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.


Industries

Main industries

1
Construction
79.7%
2
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
6.4%
3
Manufacturing
3.2%
4
Public Administration and Safety
2.1%
5
Other industries
8.7%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

34.9% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

24.9% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

19.7% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

5.6% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

9.5% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

2.5% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

1.2% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.8% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Construction Managers All Jobs Average
NSW 34.9 31.6
VIC 24.9 25.6
QLD 19.7 20.0
SA 5.6 7.0
WA 9.5 10.8
TAS 2.5 2.0
NT 1.2 1.0
ACT 1.8 1.9



Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
44
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
7%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Construction Managers is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.

    Females make up 7% of the workforce. This is 41 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Construction Managers All Jobs Average
15-19 0.9 5.0
20-24 4.1 9.3
25-34 20.5 22.9
35-44 27.1 22.0
45-54 25.6 21.6
55-59 10.2 9.0
60-64 6.8 6.0
65 and Over 4.8 4.2
Median Age 44 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

A formal qualification in building or construction management or have a trade background is usually needed to work as a Construction Manager. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.

Registration or licencing may be required.

Visit

  • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
  • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Construction Managers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 5.5 10.1
Bachelor degree 19.6 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 13.8 11.6
Certificate III/IV 45.4 21.1
Year 12 8.3 18.1
Year 11 2.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 5.4 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.


Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Construction Managers who are organised, with strong people skills and an enthusiastic, positive attitude.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 61%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 59%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 57%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 57%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 57%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 57%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 57%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 57%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 57%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 57%

    Management of financial resources

    Figuring out how money is needed to do something, and keeping track of the money that's being spent.

  • 57%

    Management of material resources

    Providing the right equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do work.

  • 57%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 57%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 55%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 55%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 55%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 55%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 55%

    Systems analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.

  • 54%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 52%

    Operations analysis

    Understanding needs and product requirements to create a design.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 89%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 75%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 72%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 67%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 67%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 65%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 63%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 59%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 59%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 59%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 55%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 52%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 50%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 48%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 47%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 47%

    Production and processing

    Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.

  • 45%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 45%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 35%

    Communications and media

    Media production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.

  • 28%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 57%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 57%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 57%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 57%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 57%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 57%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 57%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 57%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 57%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 57%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 55%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 54%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 54%

    Working with numbers

    Add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

  • 52%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 52%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 52%

    Mathematics

    Choose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.

  • 50%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 50%

    Originality

    Come up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.

  • 46%

    Brainstorming

    Come up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.

  • 45%

    Colour discrimination

    Notice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 83%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 83%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 82%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 79%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 73%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 73%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 73%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 72%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 71%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 69%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 69%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 66%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 65%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • 65%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 63%

    Making sense of information and ideas

    Looking at, working with, and understanding data or information.

  • 61%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 59%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 58%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use information.

  • 55%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 51%

    Working with computers

    Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 100%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 81%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 67%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 29%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 29%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 19%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 83%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 81%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 76%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 76%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 71%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • 67%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 100%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 99%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 94%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 93%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 90%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 80%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 80%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 80%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 78%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 78%

    Letters and memos

    Write letters and memos.

  • 78%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 77%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 76%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 75%

    Conflict situations

    Deal with conflict or disagreements.

  • 74%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 74%

    Competition

    Compete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.

  • 73%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 73%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 70%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 69%

    Responsible for outcomes

    Take responsibility for the results of other people's work.

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-9021.00 - Construction Managers.


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