The mining, logging and construction industry in St. Louis employed 57,800 workers during March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 54,500 workers during February, but a 10.9 percent decrease from last year.

That recent growth may convince some formerly-employed construction workers, or those new to the industry, to start looking for work. If you’re one of those people, you may want to consider applying for construction management positions, which are popular and pay well.

Construction managers are responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and budgeting various construction and maintenance projects. They help with the conceptual development of a project and oversee its organization, scheduling and implementation.

As the name implies, construction managers also must manage and direct their own employees. Construction managers may work in specialized fields, such as carpentry or plumbing, and may be known as general superintendents or project managers.

Most employers today prefer that construction managers have a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, building science or civil engineering. However, several colleges offer two-year or associate degrees, while some even offer master’s programs in construction management or construction science.

While it’s not required, gaining a certification in construction management can help put you ahead of the competition. Both the American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America have established voluntary certification programs for construction managers.

During 2008, there were 551,000 construction managers throughout America, according to the BLS. Of those, 61 percent were self-employed, many as owners of general or specialty trade construction firms.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the top industries that employ construction managers in the state include:

• Non-residential building construction – 6 percent
• Residential building construction – 3 percent
• Highway, street and bridge construction – 2.4 percent
• Land subdivision – 2.3 percent
• Utility system construction – 2.3 percent
• Building equipment contractors – 2 percent
• Other heavy construction – 1.7 percent
• Other specialty trade contractors – 1.6 percent
• Lessors of real estate – 1.3 percent
• Building foundation and exterior contractors – 1.2 percent

Those who pursue a construction management career can expect good employment opportunities during the near future. The BLS reports that employment will increase by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average growth rate expected for all industries.

You also can expect to be paid relatively well. During 2008, the median wage for construction managers throughout America was $79,860 per year, with the middle 50 percent of workers earning between $60,650 per year and $107,140 per year.

Some related occupations include: architects, engineers, cost estimators, engineering and natural sciences managers, and landscape architects.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development recently released “Competing in the 21st Century: Building the Workforce To Lead Missouri’s Economic Transformation,” a report that details significant achievements in the state’s workforce development system during the last year.

According to the report, Missouri Career Centers provided services to 398,092 residents from July 1, 2008, to June 30 of this year, which is a 70 percent increase from the previous year. About 243 companies were able to provide training assistance to 32,468 workers through the Missouri Customized Training Program. Those workers earned an average of $19.50 per hour.

The Workforce Investment Act provided 22,074 adults, dislocated workers and youth with career assistance services. Another 24,007 veterans received intensive employment assistance. In addition, more than 2,100 employers provided more than 7,800 youth with on-the-job training and work experience through the Next-Generation Jobs Team.

“Creating new jobs for Missourians will always be the number one priority of the Missouri Department of Economic Development,” Katie Steele Danner, interim director of the DED, said. “This report illustrates the level of excellence maintained by our workforce system leaders and professionals to ensure Missouri’s job seekers and businesses can depend on the best career services available.”

“These successes would not be possible without the strong partnerships between DWD, local workforce investment boards, employers, organized labor and community colleges,” DWD Director Julie Gibson said. “I am committed to working collaboratively with state and local partners to ensure that Missouri’s workforce development system is up to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Although St. Louis itself has maintained a relatively high unemployment rate, the city has managed to add some jobs. During August, the city maintained an unemployment rate of 9.9 percent, which was only slightly higher than the national unemployment rate at the time of 9.7 percent.

St. Louis had a total non-farm employment of 1,303,600 workers during August, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 1,302,500 workers during July, but a 3.9 percent decrease from last year.