Construction Manager
Plan, budget and run construction projects from groundbreaking to final inspection.
- $114,990
- 4 years plus field experience
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Construction Foreman
Also called: Construction Supervisor · Site Foreman · Crew Leader · General Foreman
What construction foremans do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a construction foreman do?
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of construction or extraction workers. The median pay is $79,920 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years in a trade, and employment is projected to grow +5.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$79,920$38.42/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.0%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year67,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train5+ years in a tradeTypical program length
- U.S. jobs913,300Employment, 2025
What construction foremans do
Construction foremen run the crew. They plan daily work, assign tasks, order materials, read plans, check quality, enforce safety and keep the job on schedule, while often still working with tools.
A high school diploma and five or more years of trade experience are typical. BLS projects about average growth and many openings.
Typical duties
- Plan daily work
- Assign crew tasks
- Order materials
- Read plans
- Check quality
- Enforce safety
- Report progress
Work environment and schedule
Foremen work on construction sites outdoors and indoors.
Schedule: Full time, early starts, often overtime.
A day in the life
- Arrive and walk the site.
- Hold a toolbox talk.
- Assign tasks.
- Check layout.
See a full day in the life of a construction foreman →
Construction Foreman salary
Half of construction foremans earned more than $79,920 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $53,280 for the lowest 10% to $128,260 for the top 10%.
Full construction foreman pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a construction foreman
- Learn a trade
- Become a journeyman
- Lead small crews
- Earn OSHA 30
- Become foreman
A high school diploma and five or more years of trade experience are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a construction foreman →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Trade skills
- Blueprint reading
- Scheduling
- Material ordering
- Safety programs
People skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Decisiveness
All construction foreman skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good pay
- Leadership
- No degree needed
- Many openings
Cons
- Long days
- Weather
- Schedule pressure
- Safety responsibility
Certifications and licenses
- OSHA 30: Safety.
- Trade license: Electrician, plumber and others.
- First aid and CPR: Required on many sites.
- Foreman training: Union or company.
Career path
- Journeyman: Skilled.
- Foreman: Lead crew.
- General Foreman: Lead foremen.
- Superintendent: Run sites.
Learn the job before day one
Our Construction Foreman training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a morning toolbox talk and plan a crew’s day, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Carpenter
Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.
- $60,580
- 3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Electrician
Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
- $63,190
- 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
Cost Estimator
Figure out what a building project or product will cost before work begins.
- $78,740
- Moderate on-the-job training
Compare: Construction Foreman vs. Construction Manager · Construction Foreman vs. Carpenter · Construction Foreman vs. Electrician · Construction Foreman vs. Cost Estimator
Construction Foreman FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No; experience matters most.
Is the job in demand?
Yes, BLS projects many openings.
Do foremen still use tools?
Often, on smaller crews.
How much does a construction foreman make?
The median annual wage for construction foremans was $79,920 ($38.42 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $53,280 and the highest 10% earned more than $128,260.
How long does it take to become a construction foreman?
Most people need about 5+ years in a trade of training. A high school diploma and five or more years of trade experience are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a construction foreman?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.
More construction foreman questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-1011 (First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.