by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 312 U.S. colleges awarded 7,804 degrees and certificates in Building Management & Inspection. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 41% of graduates. College Factual ranks 171 schools in its 2027 Best Building Management & Inspection Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,822 one year after completing, rising to $44,811 after four years.
Between drywall, roofing, flooring, insulation and painting, there are many variables that are needed to construct a building. While studying Building Management and Inspection you will combine the two focuses of management and trade skills. The trade skill aspect will educate students on the process and materials involved in construction, in addition to creating and analyzing construction plans and drawings. The management aspect will prepare student to manage a team and run a construction operation, by enforcing time management and safety.
There are many concentrations within this major; they include Insulator, Roofer, Glazier, Drywall Installation, Concrete Finishing, Building/Property Maintenance, Building/Construction Site Manager, Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker, Roofer, and Building Construction Technology. While focusing on these concentrations, you will be taking courses in basic maintenance and repair, mold preparation, electrical and mechanical systems, building codes, and site preparation and layout. This major is typically offered as an associate's or certificate.
Studying Building Management & Inspection explores Building/construction Finishing, Management, And Inspection.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, building management & inspection draws strong interest, with 7,804 degrees awarded annually. 312 colleges award building management & inspection degrees, an average of 25 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 404.
By level, the 7,804 awards include 2,181 certificates, 1,713 associate degrees, 185 bachelor’s degrees and 3,188 master’s degrees.
Women earned 15% of building management & inspection degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,151 of 7,804). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,013) and Hispanic or Latino (2,606), and international students earned 58.
College Factual ranks 171 schools in its 2027 Best Building Management & Inspection Schools ranking, including 61 for associate degrees and 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks building management & inspection schools within 14 states. In all, 312 colleges offer building management & inspection programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Building Management & Inspection Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common building management & inspection credential is the master’s degree: 3,188 of the 7,804 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to building management & inspection call most for Coordination, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Problem Sensitivity.
Individuals who are interested in this major should possess strong communication skills. You will be working in teams and managing others, therefore efficient oral and written skills are necessary for the success of projects.
Problem solving skills and creative thinking will aid you in resolving unpredictable complications during projects. If you are interested in pursuing this major, students are advised to take prior courses in English, drafting, math, and business. Most programs require students to acquire an internship in order to gain work experience and to learn the fundamentals first hand.
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How long a building management & inspection degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,181 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,713 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 185 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,188 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to building management & inspection, at 38.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 38.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 19.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 17.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.3% |
| Some college courses | 7.5% |
| Master’s degree | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
25 occupations are related to Building Management & Inspection, with an average median salary of $63,383; the strongest outlook belongs to Carpet Installers, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Building Superintendent, Maintenance Supervisor, Building Supervisor and Service Supervisor.
A degree in Building Management & Inspection allows students to enter into a variety of positions. If you are interested in management and inspection, consider careers as a Construction Manager, Construction and Building Inspector, or Property Manager. Managers oversee the building site and ensure that safety precautions are being followed, in addition to meeting deadlines. These managers are in high demand, and the field is expected to grow in the next ten years. A building inspector determines if construction, changes, and repairs comply with codes and regulations.
If you do not wish to manage others, you can look for jobs as a roofer, dry waller, insulator, glazier, or metal building assembler. These individuals work on one aspect of the construction, whereas the managers oversee the entire site.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to building management & inspection, at 842,650.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet Installers | 842,650 | 13.4% |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | 711,576 | 4.9% |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | 682,643 | -3.5% |
| Paperhangers | 673,438 | 10.2% |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | 669,206 | 8.0% |
| Tile and Stone Setters | 656,657 | 3.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | 639,001 | -1.9% |
Building Management & Inspection graduates earn a median $33,822 one year after completing their program, $44,811 after four years and $36,597 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,822 |
| 4 years | $44,811 |
| 5 years | $36,597 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to building management & inspection is Facilities Managers, with a median salary of $157,669.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| Security Managers | $104,128 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,216 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $77,350 |
| Carpet Installers | $72,945 |
| Floor Sanders and Finishers | $71,975 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,937 |
Building Management & Inspection includes 13 concentrations that together award 7,804 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Building/Property Maintenance (2,462), Building Construction Technology/Technician (2,137) and Building/Construction Site Management/Manager (1,748). It has 6 similar majors in the Construction Trades field, which together award 54,341 degrees a year; the largest are Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (40,602), Carpenters (6,053) and Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services (4,194). Browse all Construction Trades majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 40,602 |
| Carpenters | 6,053 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | 4,194 |
| CONSTRUCTION TRADES | 2,765 |
| Mason/Masonry | 422 |
| Construction Trades, Other | 305 |
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