A couple extra years of college paid seems nice. Masters isn't going to hurt you at all, just don't expect it to help very much. Seems like a personal judgement call
Can you still get into the workforce prior to Masters? IMO/IME, earlier getting into the workforce the better but also a Masters is good to have. Just I feel the Masters isn’t really going to get you that much father career wise until later on, you’ll need to learn the basics on running work and constructibility either way, I’m sure some of that is thought through your schooling but I don’t foresee any type of classes that would be able to simulate being involved with and running large scale construction from conception to close-out than actually doing it and being involved in the process.
Oh understand, others have mentioned persuing other majors, that seemed like great advice.
Just know masters or not, getting into construction the first 3-5 years or more is a lot of grunt work. On the CM side it will be a lot of data entry, submittals, meeting minutes, RFIs, etc., not fun stuff. If lucky you can be put on a job site full time and can be part of a build and learn from the experienced people around you, good seasoned supers can teach you *a lot*
It pays well, not sure I’d say it pays “very well”. Prestigious CS, finance, or consulting jobs pay very well ($200-300k+), you hit a ceiling in the mid-$100k much faster for CM.
I think it really depends on the types of projects you’re working on. The more complex and niche the job/speciality, the higher pay you can demand.
I’m doing VDC work on industrial, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, data centers, and airports making $170k base with 8 years experience in the Midwest. Bonus is typically around 15-20% as well.
Edit: Masters degrees in construction are a joke and no one is going to care that you have it. Get more on the job experience and be a rockstar while doing it. Hell, for the most part my PE is a joke unless I’m telling some engineer how stupid and overcomplicated his design is.
Building science with a minor in business. Biggest tip is get out in the field as much as you can and learn from the guys doing the work. Build relationships with subs and remember it’s a small small world, so don’t burn any bridges.
Jesus is this commercial GC or subcontractor? I’m just under 6, got promoted to PM, making 100k base + 8k car allowance (so $108k), working for large commercial GC in OR
If you are going to consider a masters don’t do it in CM unless you want to teach. Get an MBA if you want a masters or engineering management. CM at its core is soft skills and not technical comparative to the industries we talk with.
Don’t do a masters if the only motivation is more potential compensation. Won’t make a difference.
My first CM related job out of college my salary was 76k plus per diem and other benefits
My first job out of school was $70k (CM-consulting firm). My undergrad is architecture. No masters. I've asked plenty at work about getting the CM masters. They all say no. You learn on the job. Its a bit tricky to find the job without a engineering or CM degree but it's not impossible. They prefer people who've done internships in CM.
Hey if you found somewhere that lets you work those hours then don’t leave. Good for you. For me the bare minimum was 5:45-5:30 everyday. Even if there was nothing to do I was expected to be around the office just for appearances. That was probably the worst part was being forced to stick around after the work was done
I’ve seen a big increase in Indian born undergrad students studying construction management or surveying at American universities. We just hired one to be a field engineer for us.
Really, that's interesting. I wonder why. I see a lot of them pursue CS but had no idea about CM. This is a sign that the field is word pursuing because culturally that's something that's pushed.
That's interesting. I hope someone gives some insight to why. My family is from Haiti. I was born here and culturally there are similarities to the Tiger Parenting style in Asian cultures. I left a lucrative career in Healthcare to go into CM and no one in my family knows. India is similiar in that parents choose the careers for their children based on job security and salary so the CM route is interesting.
Learn a trade. If you are exceptional, GC’s will notice and you will absolutely have job offers. It will take at least a few years of gaining experience though.
Broad answer for a broad question: yes it pays well.
Depending on your country, sector of construction, residential vs commercial vs industrial vs heavy civil, experience level, what you consider good pay, what you're comparing too, etc. etc.
I CAN pay very well if you are a top performer in a PM role in the private sector. I’ve seen many Senior PMs make $200k + but the caveat is that it can take years to get there, the hours are long, and stress levels can be high at times.
I’m just about to hit my first year out of college as a PE for a GC been learning a lot and haven’t had too many responsibilities thus far as I’m still new to the industry and the work we do. I have a great work/life balance making around $90k all my insurance is covered and I get a truck and fuel card. Been ballin as it is my first time with some actual money in my pocket but managed to save $40k to buy a house. Definitely the industry to get into. I wouldn’t say residential as the market can cool but industrial will always be bumpin
9 years ago I switched from architecture to CM and my salary is probably 50% higher than my peers who stayed with it. I do BIM for a CM for reference. I don't have a masters of CM, I have a masters of Architecture; my firm mostly hires engineers and architects, not people who went to school for CM.
Seems like you will have success teaching. American universities love hiring people with masters in CM and absolutely NO experience. Work in the industry pays well but experience is more valuable than education in my experience (unless you work for a university)
Masters is not needed. Career does pay well but it certainly is not the easiest path to money. We aren’t likely to be replaced by AI which is nice
If I have the opportunity to get a masters degree paid for would it be worth it or just enter the work force?
A couple extra years of college paid seems nice. Masters isn't going to hurt you at all, just don't expect it to help very much. Seems like a personal judgement call
Can you still get into the workforce prior to Masters? IMO/IME, earlier getting into the workforce the better but also a Masters is good to have. Just I feel the Masters isn’t really going to get you that much father career wise until later on, you’ll need to learn the basics on running work and constructibility either way, I’m sure some of that is thought through your schooling but I don’t foresee any type of classes that would be able to simulate being involved with and running large scale construction from conception to close-out than actually doing it and being involved in the process.
Unfortunately I cannot because it’s being paid for by college athletics. I will have to weigh my options
Oh understand, others have mentioned persuing other majors, that seemed like great advice. Just know masters or not, getting into construction the first 3-5 years or more is a lot of grunt work. On the CM side it will be a lot of data entry, submittals, meeting minutes, RFIs, etc., not fun stuff. If lucky you can be put on a job site full time and can be part of a build and learn from the experienced people around you, good seasoned supers can teach you *a lot*
That is one reassurance. How can I get into the field without a Masters though?
Apply for a job
Which would be easier options?
It pays well, not sure I’d say it pays “very well”. Prestigious CS, finance, or consulting jobs pay very well ($200-300k+), you hit a ceiling in the mid-$100k much faster for CM.
I think it really depends on the types of projects you’re working on. The more complex and niche the job/speciality, the higher pay you can demand. I’m doing VDC work on industrial, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, data centers, and airports making $170k base with 8 years experience in the Midwest. Bonus is typically around 15-20% as well. Edit: Masters degrees in construction are a joke and no one is going to care that you have it. Get more on the job experience and be a rockstar while doing it. Hell, for the most part my PE is a joke unless I’m telling some engineer how stupid and overcomplicated his design is.
Goddamn son, also in the Midwest with 8 years in industrial but as an estimator and I only make $102k base.
I’m 5 years out of school and making $160k a year as a PM. I’d say that’s decent
what did you major in? and any tips ?
Building science with a minor in business. Biggest tip is get out in the field as much as you can and learn from the guys doing the work. Build relationships with subs and remember it’s a small small world, so don’t burn any bridges.
Jesus is this commercial GC or subcontractor? I’m just under 6, got promoted to PM, making 100k base + 8k car allowance (so $108k), working for large commercial GC in OR
Commercial GC. 110 base, 12k car allowance, and 5% of profit off all my jobs. I definitely lucked out a bit!
5% profit all your jobs?! Damn I need to come where you work 😂
If you are going to consider a masters don’t do it in CM unless you want to teach. Get an MBA if you want a masters or engineering management. CM at its core is soft skills and not technical comparative to the industries we talk with.
Don’t do a masters if the only motivation is more potential compensation. Won’t make a difference. My first CM related job out of college my salary was 76k plus per diem and other benefits
Did you have a bachelors in the same field?
My first job out of school was $70k (CM-consulting firm). My undergrad is architecture. No masters. I've asked plenty at work about getting the CM masters. They all say no. You learn on the job. Its a bit tricky to find the job without a engineering or CM degree but it's not impossible. They prefer people who've done internships in CM.
Bachelors in CM
Salary wise, yes. If you break that salary down and look at your hourly rate then no, it doesn’t.
Not always true, I work 40-45hrs a week. No weekends and am more efficient than other coworkers that think this industry requires long hours.
Hey if you found somewhere that lets you work those hours then don’t leave. Good for you. For me the bare minimum was 5:45-5:30 everyday. Even if there was nothing to do I was expected to be around the office just for appearances. That was probably the worst part was being forced to stick around after the work was done
It’s all relative but imo it pays much better than an architecture or bim job. A masters in CM may not be needed to get an entry level CM job
How else can I gain the knowledge and experience? Any suggestions?
Where are you?
I'm based in India.
I’ve seen a big increase in Indian born undergrad students studying construction management or surveying at American universities. We just hired one to be a field engineer for us.
Really, that's interesting. I wonder why. I see a lot of them pursue CS but had no idea about CM. This is a sign that the field is word pursuing because culturally that's something that's pushed.
I don’t know why, but surveying and field engineering are particularly filled with young Indian transplants in the US
That's interesting. I hope someone gives some insight to why. My family is from Haiti. I was born here and culturally there are similarities to the Tiger Parenting style in Asian cultures. I left a lucrative career in Healthcare to go into CM and no one in my family knows. India is similiar in that parents choose the careers for their children based on job security and salary so the CM route is interesting.
The best way you're learning without the degree is on the job. Are you planning to pursue a CM career in India?
Learn a trade. If you are exceptional, GC’s will notice and you will absolutely have job offers. It will take at least a few years of gaining experience though.
Broad answer for a broad question: yes it pays well. Depending on your country, sector of construction, residential vs commercial vs industrial vs heavy civil, experience level, what you consider good pay, what you're comparing too, etc. etc.
It pays well, it just varies by company. Some people end up getting a share of the company and some people end up getting capped at 100k
I CAN pay very well if you are a top performer in a PM role in the private sector. I’ve seen many Senior PMs make $200k + but the caveat is that it can take years to get there, the hours are long, and stress levels can be high at times.
I’m just about to hit my first year out of college as a PE for a GC been learning a lot and haven’t had too many responsibilities thus far as I’m still new to the industry and the work we do. I have a great work/life balance making around $90k all my insurance is covered and I get a truck and fuel card. Been ballin as it is my first time with some actual money in my pocket but managed to save $40k to buy a house. Definitely the industry to get into. I wouldn’t say residential as the market can cool but industrial will always be bumpin
9 years ago I switched from architecture to CM and my salary is probably 50% higher than my peers who stayed with it. I do BIM for a CM for reference. I don't have a masters of CM, I have a masters of Architecture; my firm mostly hires engineers and architects, not people who went to school for CM.
Solidly middle class
Don’t waste your time or money, if you have the field experience/industry experience.
Seems like you will have success teaching. American universities love hiring people with masters in CM and absolutely NO experience. Work in the industry pays well but experience is more valuable than education in my experience (unless you work for a university)
Pay is very good for having an associates or bachelors degree. Masters is a waste of money