How to Become a Construction Manager in District of Columbia (2026)

District of Columbia employs about 1,250 construction managers earning a median $126,430 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most construction managers train through an approved program before entering the field in District of Columbia.

District of Columbia employs approximately 1,250 construction managers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $126,430 1. Nationally, construction manager employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 46,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Construction Manager in District of Columbia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school or community college
  • Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
  • Median wage (District of Columbia): $126,430 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Construction Manager in District of Columbia

How to become a Construction Manager in District of Columbia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction managers in District of Columbia.

How long does it take? construction manager training length in District of Columbia varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do construction managers earn in District of Columbia? The median annual wage for construction managers in District of Columbia is $126,430 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $80,620 and experienced professionals can earn $209,680 or more 1.

How to Become a Construction Manager in District of Columbia

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most District of Columbia training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved construction manager program in District of Columbia that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to construction managers in District of Columbia before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Construction Manager Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

Construction Managers Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction managers wages in District of Columbia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria6,630$129,650$139,680$86,530$207,160

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for construction managers in District of Columbia? District of Columbia currently employs approximately 1,250 construction managers 1. Nationally, construction manager employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in District of Columbia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in District of Columbia.

How much do construction managers earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction managers in District of Columbia is $126,430, which is $19,450 above the national median of $106,980 according to BLS data 1.

In District of Columbia

Explore More Trades in District of Columbia

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)