For students interested in construction, business, or engineering, construction management may be a good fit. Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from development to completion. Some construction managers focus on the supervision of the building process, while others focus on cost estimation and quality control.
The job outlook for construction managers is strong in Massachusetts. Statewide, construction management jobs grew by 70% from 2014 to 2024. In Greater Boston, jobs grew by 57% (see chart below).
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Construction management jobs also pay well. The median salary for Boston area construction managers was $156,590 in 2024, well above the median salary of $64,620 for all jobs, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Statewide, construction managers earned a median salary of $147,750.
Four-Year Programs to Prepare for Construction Management Careers
Construction management jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or a related degree. Two Massachusetts public universities offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Construction Management – UMass Amherst and Fitchburg State University. Wentworth Institute of Technology, a private non-profit college, also offers a program. The two programs with publicly available earnings data from College Scorecard, UMass Amherst and Wentworth, show strong job outcomes for program graduates. Wentworth program grads earned a median salary of $103,200 five years after graduating. UMass Amherst program graduates earned a median salary of $83,870. Below are brief descriptions of the three programs.
Wentworth Institute of Technology – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Wentworth’s construction management program combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training through co-op placements with area employers. The program also pairs students with a mentor from one of its partner companies. Through this combination of classroom and workplace learning, students gain a clear understanding of the construction process, learn about state-of-the-art construction methods and materials, and develop skills in management, budgeting, cost control, cost estimation, scheduling, team building, and communication. The co-op and industry mentoring experiences also provide students with a strong network of contacts to help them secure employment upon graduation. Close to 70% of 2023 program graduates received job offers from their co-op employers according to the college’s survey of graduating seniors.
UMass Amherst – Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Technology
UMass Amherst’s program in Building and Construction Technology prepares graduates for careers in construction and project management, sustainable design, green building and energy conservation, wood design and building, as well as sales and marketing of building materials. The program also helps connect students to internship opportunities. According to the program website, 90% of students completed at least one internship.
Fitchburg State – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Fitchburg offers a small Construction Management program within its Engineering Technology department. The program focuses on skills required for roles in construction project management and implementation, including the ability to prepare construction documents, cost estimates, and project schedules; perform site inspections; and work with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Completion of an internship is a program requirement. The program helps students identify and secure placements.
Associate Degree Option
While most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree, a shortage of construction managers has created an opportunity for associate degree candidates, according to Michael Goldstein, the Chief Innovations Officer at Franklin Cummings Technical Institute. Franklin Cummings Tech offers a two-year associate degree program to prepare students for entry-level construction management roles. The program features a co-op placement that provides students with the work experience needed to secure employment after graduation. Students work full time during the summer and part time during the academic year at local construction firms, practicing what they’ve learned in class while earning at least $20/hr.
Susan Goldberger is a co-founder of NextGen Talent and provides pro bono product management services for NextGen’s data products. She also serves as a Senior Project Manager at the Burning Glass Institute, a non-profit data analytics firm focused on advancing the goals of equity and inclusion in the new economy. Susan holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy from the Heller School and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University.
