Construction general contractor
Also known as: construction contactor, construction project manager, construction site contractor, general contractor in construction
About this occupation
Construction general contractors take on the responsibility to deliver a construction project. They participate on bid processes for construction projects and hire subcontractors to deliver the different stages of the construction process from beginning to completion. They make sure subcontractors hold up their part of the agreement and work in the construction site to make sure the project is delivered in time and according to agreed standards.
A specialisation of construction manager.
Essential skills and knowledge
- contract law
- coordinate construction activities
- construction product regulation
- monitor parameters' compliance in construction projects
- manage contracts
- monitor contractor performance
- follow health and safety procedures in construction
- communicate with customers
- assess construction compliance
- ensure compliance with construction project deadline
- perform quality control of design during a run
- identify customer objectives
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Construction Managers (O*NET 11-9021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
- Develop or implement quality control programs.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
- Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
- Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$114,990 a year (2025), 380,360 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionExtremely important (4.7)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.3)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.0)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.8)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.8)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (3.8)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (3.7)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Civil Engineers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
- Industrial Engineers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Facilities Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.