(Photo by Travis Bell, Texas Dept. of Transportation)
More About Construction Project Managers
High-End Earners (Top 10%)
$89,420 annually
Median Earners (TOP 50%)
$73,520 annually
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
(Source: InterLink 2026 Data, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers)
CTE Pathway
Construction Management and Inspection Statewide Program of Study
Take courses like Principles of Construction, Construction Management I and Practicum in Construction Technology.
See pages 16-17 for the full breakdown of the courses you can take in Construction Management and Inspection.
LEAVE AN IMPACT
Construction managers and inspectors are changing the world by ensuring buildings, roads and infrastructure are built safely, efficiently, and to high standards. Their leadership and attention to detail help create stronger communities, protect public safety, and improve the quality of everyday life.
You MIGHT be great at this job if YOU…
Are the team captain, a club officer or part of the student council
Enjoy using building blocks, LEGOs and Rubik's Cubes
Take on the leadership role in group or class projects
Manage deadlines, assignments and extracurricular activities well
Since the fourth grade, Barry Stribling knew he wanted to pursue a career in engineering. He’s always been fascinated with how things work, and often took apart objects just to understand how they could be put back together. While not always successful at putting the pieces back together, his curiosity has remained steadfast. Barry’s parents took note of his interest in mechanics at an early age and have encouraged him in his pursuit ever since.
“Engineering consistently ranks among the top professions across numerous measures, making it an attractive and sustainable career choice,” Barry said. “High demand across industries ensures strong job security, while competitive salaries provide financial stability and opportunities for long-term growth.”
Barry also grew up playing sports, with football being his main focus. He once aspired to play professionally and received a scholarship to Tarleton State University to continue his education and focus on football.
“Although my professional football dreams did not come to fruition, my long-term plan was always to earn my degree and build a sustainable career,” Barry said. “While my academic background is in mechanical engineering and I initially had no intention of pursuing professional licensure, I have since transitioned into the civil and transportation engineering field and am now preparing to take my final licensing exam.”
While he didn’t enroll in career and technical education courses in high school for engineering, he did apply for a summer internship with the Texas Dept. of Transportation and accepted the role. The internship helped Barry gain valuable insight and exposure into the career and all of the opportunities the company could provide him.
“Up to that point, I had no intention of becoming a licensed professional engineer; however, the experience encouraged me to consider how licensure could support and advance my career,” Barry said.
Now, Barry is working as a full-time construction project manager at the Texas Dept. of Transportation. He began working exclusively in the office as part of the design team, where he drafted plans and developed engineering estimates for future contracts.
“While this experience was valuable, it was a significant adjustment for me, as I have personally always been an outdoor person,” Barry said. “Although I appreciated the technical knowledge I gained, working indoors full-time limited my ability to see the direct impact of my work on the public.”
After transitioning to construction, he was able to observe day-to-day project progress firsthand and engage with the community.
“Engineering is embedded in nearly every aspect of our daily lives,” Barry said. “Its principles form the foundation of ideas that are transformed into the structures, systems, and products we rely on every day.”
WHERE TO WORK
Cook Children's Health Care System
Texas Dept. of Transportation
Read more about other in-demand jobs and careers in construction here.
WHERE TO LEARN
Dallas College Coppell Center, Coppell
Dallas College North Lake Campus, Irving
Tarleton State University
Tarrant County College
University of North Texas
(Photo by Travis Bell, Texas Dept. of Transportation)
