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Architectural engineers

How to become a Building Construction Manager

Also called: Certified plumbing works manager, Plumbing works manager, HVAC and plumbing works manager, Site manager, Plant construction manager, Interior fit-out manager

Supervises and directs building work on sites such as houses, schools, office blocks and factories so that it is done properly and to plan.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say university or high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualifications are needed to start, but most people study architecture at high school, senmon gakko (vocational college) or university and learn subjects such as structural mechanics and building materials before starting work. To manage construction on a building site, as well as architecture you need to know the laws on managing construction, starting with the Construction Business Act and including road traffic, pollution prevention and hazardous materials laws, and labour laws such as the Labour Standards Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act that keep work safe. Related qualifications include certified building construction manager, kenchikushi (licensed architect) and Professional Engineer (construction). With one of these qualifications, or a set amount of work experience, you can become a supervising engineer, a role that must be assigned to large sites. You direct and supervise anywhere from dozens to hundreds of workers in many trades, so leadership, the ability to bring people together, cooperation and a strong will are needed. Unexpected construction problems, accidents or disasters can happen, so you need a habit of thinking things through in order, the ability to stay calm when sudden problems arise, and foresight. Much of the work is outdoors, so a reasonable level of fitness is also needed.

Ways in

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Building Construction Manager?

No particular education or qualifications are needed to start, but most people study architecture at high school, senmon gakko (vocational college) or university and learn subjects such as structural mechanics and building materials before starting work. To manage construction on a building site, as well as architecture you need to know the laws on managing construction, starting with the Construction Business Act and including road traffic, pollution prevention and hazardous materials laws, and labour laws such as the Labour Standards Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act that keep work safe. Related qualifications include certified building construction manager, kenchikushi (licensed architect) and Professional Engineer (construction). With one of these qualifications, or a set amount of work experience, you can become a supervising engineer, a role that must be assigned to large sites. You direct and supervise anywhere from dozens to hundreds of workers in many trades, so leadership, the ability to bring people together, cooperation and a strong will are needed. Unexpected construction problems, accidents or disasters can happen, so you need a habit of thinking things through in order, the ability to stay calm when sudden problems arise, and foresight. Much of the work is outdoors, so a reasonable level of fitness is also needed.

How much does a Building Construction Manager earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥6,790,500 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Architectural engineers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Building Construction Manager?

Not always. In this job's census occupation group, 56% of workers are university graduates. Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Engineering degrees; Vocational college (専門学校) course: Civil engineering and architecture.

Will AI change the work of a Building Construction Manager?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026