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Are you considering a new career in Washington?
How about one as a construction manager?
To begin, understanding the responsibilities associated with this role is crucial.
These professionals collaborate closely with engineers, construction workers, and government officials.
Earn your accredited, affordable construction career diploma online with Penn Foster!
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Keep reading to explore further into this career path!
Construction Manager Job Description
A construction manager plays a crucial role in overseeing the entire lifecycle of construction projects, from start to finish.
Their daily responsibilities include:
- Ensuring compliance with onsite specifications
- Hiring skilled workers for various construction tasks
- Ensuring timely delivery of construction materials
- Addressing and resolving project delays
- Generating progress reports for clients
- Managing project costs to stay within budget
Typically, construction managers hold either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree with extensive experience.
In this role, you can specialize in various sectors such as:
- Civil
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Residential
- Agricultural
- Institutional projects
This flexibility allows construction managers to focus on areas that match their professional interests and expertise.
Becoming a Construction Manager – Step by Step
If you aspire to become a construction manager, follow these steps.
This guide clearly outlines the essential requirements and actions needed to achieve your goal.
1st Step – Complete Your Education
As mentioned earlier, certification is essential for those aiming to become construction managers.
Typically, this role requires a bachelor’s degree, which in turn necessitates a high school diploma or GED.
However, some project managers can secure positions with an associate degree in a related field, particularly if they have extensive work experience.
Graduates from an Associate of Science or an Associate of Applied Science program usually transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.
The bachelor’s degree lasts for 4 years, while the associate’s degree lasts just for 2.
In the BS program you choose, you’ll explore topics such as:
- Design
- Structural Science
- Engineering
- Materials Management
- Economics
2nd Step – Become Licensed
The best construction managers out there not only hold a degree but additional credentials as well.
Consider earning certifications like:
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
- Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)
- LEED Green Associate
- Certified Safety Manager (CSM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Alternative Methods
If pursuing a bachelor’s degree after an associate degree isn’t your path of choice, gaining extensive field experience is another effective route.
Additionally, those with only a high school diploma can begin their careers as independent contractors.
Construction Management Programs in Washington
After familiarizing yourself with the licensing process, the next step is to find a suitable training program.
Washington is home to several esteemed construction management programs.
Let’s explore these options.
Central Washington University 
The university has a construction management program offered in smaller class sizes and emphasizes “hands-on” labs.
This provides you with personalized attention and comprehensive exposure to all aspects of construction.
Within the program, you can choose between two tracks based on your interests:
- General Construction focuses on commercial building
- Heavy/Civil Construction focuses on bridge, road, and utility construction
Prospective students must be admitted into the Construction Management professional program before enrolling in 300 or 400-level CMGT classes.
To apply for the major, candidates must complete the following courses with satisfactory grades:
- ENG 101 & 102 (C),
- MATH 153 & 154 (pre-calculus) (C)
Each course also has lab classes that students must attend and pay for, usually the flat rate of $5 for each.
Edmonds College 
If you want the liberty of choosing the type of credential you want to earn, then this college is a good choice.
It offers 3 types of programs:
- Certificates:
- Building Inspection
- Construction Management
- Civil Construction Management and Inspection
- AAS – Transfer
- Associate of Technical Arts
The certificate programs have a duration of 12 months.
They have either 48 or 58 credits to accumulate, and they cost either $5,155 or $6,237.
Two of the certificate programs share the credit numbers and tuition.
The AAS Transfer has 3 options as well and they are towards a bachelor’s degree.
All 3 programs last between 18 and 24 months to complete.
Each has a different number of credits to earn and different tuition costs.
The Associate of Technical Arts is in Construction Management, it has 100 credits and can be completed between 18 and 24 months.
The tuition is $10,820.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Washington University | 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926 |
| Edmonds College | 20000 68th Ave. W Lynnwood, WA 98036 |
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Construction Manager Salary in Washington
It’s natural to wonder about your future earning potential.
In Washington, construction managers have the opportunity to earn substantial incomes, at around $144,330 a year.
However, earnings can vary depending on the location and the size of the city where you work.
Typically, larger metropolitan areas offer higher salaries as in the table below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $147,677 |
| Edmonds | $147,543 |
| Sammamish | $147,410 |
| Issaquah | $147,276 |
| Preston | $147,008 |
| Lynnwood | $146,205 |
| Duvall | $145,669 |
| Skykomish | $145,401 |
| Everett | $145,133 |
| Startup | $145,000 |
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 260 | $122,280 | $58.79 | $171,540 | $73,640 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 150 | $103,860 | $49.93 | $152,080 | $62,510 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 270 | $119,910 | $57.65 | $165,330 | $77,500 |
| Longview, WA | 90 | $115,640 | $55.6 | $164,130 | $57,010 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 160 | $119,490 | $57.45 | $174,650 | $70,570 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 320 | $112,840 | $54.25 | $154,130 | $78,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 5,850 | $127,650 | $61.37 | $172,050 | $78,410 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 490 | $103,030 | $49.53 | $156,090 | $63,390 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 30 | $99,920 | $48.04 | $131,720 | $55,940 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 90 | $107,200 | $51.54 | $137,080 | $67,130 |
| Yakima, WA | 90 | $98,360 | $47.29 | $135,200 | $62,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How well do construction managers earn in Washington?
Construction managers from Washington State earn on average slightly more than the national median salary.
What level of education do I need for a career as a construction manager in Washington?
The minimum level of education you can have is a high school diploma.
The maximum is a Ph.D. along with all the extra certifications available in the industry.
Are project managers and construction managers the same in Washington?
No, there’s a chain of command between the 2 professionals.
The project manager is the direct superior of a construction manager.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Construction Manager
Construction Manager Schools by State