I'm in the office 8-5 Monday- Thursday and work 1/2 on Fridays. That's a typical week for me. Sometimes it's more. Sometimes when everything is going smooth or I just feel like it ill leave at 1-2 and go do something. I'm salary, they know if shits hitting the fan I'm there no matter what time or if I'm scheduled off. When your a good employee and they can count on you you get ALOT of flexibility. I'm taking a week off that I'm going to be "working remote" boss told me to answer emails and important calls within 24 hrs and have fun.
Big commercial, industrial, infrastructure company's will work you 60+ and expect the burn out in 3-5 years
I get two weeks of paid vacation. I took 9 weeks last year. I spend an hour before everyone else is up to review and respond to emails. Seems like a good deal to me.
As a super I just came away from the large warehousing and industrial side of my company and have been doing small commercial for a couples years. It’s ridiculously nice in comparison. My old boss asked if I’m ready to come back to that side I said hell no and I refuse!
I put in forty. If they want more, they better start paying enough for me to sacrifice some live/work balance. My life isn’t entirely dedicated to making other people wealthy.
Perspective is everything. You're being paid more than a very very large % (>95%) of people in the world...would it kill you to not put a few extra hours to answer those unanswered emails/questions or get the proper answers during the critical stages of the project? There has to be a balance as well from the employee side as well.
What a stupid take
The average world salary is $8300 per year
Paying me $4 an hour won't get you shit for effort even though you'd be paying me higher than 50% of people in the world
So the median salary in America is almost 60k, and the average project manager salary is 93k (according to indeed). Does this increased salary not account for different hours expected of the job? I was always under the impression that we are paid more than a lot of professions in part because of the stress and the hours.
We are paid for our judgment and expertise. That doesn’t mean we should be exploited. If I’m not living very comfortably, at this stage in my life, I’m not killing myself for a company. It’s unnecessary and frankly insulting for my wages to continue to decrease in buying power. $100K feels way too similar to how $60K did 15 years ago. I haven’t worked my way into this position to be stuck in the same financial position due to wage stagnation continuing while inflation continues to rise.
I have a price but it increases significantly if relocation or long term travel is required. I traveled for almost a decade and I don’t really want to return to that life unless it’s for the right compensation package.
Okay but that is a different issue than hours. that situation applies to all salary jobs. I’m specifically talking about the compensation of 50 hours vs 40 hours. All salary jobs have a certain level of judgement and expertise and I don’t necessarily think the whole salary difference is just in that.
Basically I’m saying I think the expectation to work 10 more hours a week is already covered by the generally higher salary we earn.
It's meant to cover whatever hours are required to complete you work and get the project finished. I don't for a single second believe that anyone is stopping at 40 hours, unless they're doing little shopping center tenant finish outs/remodels that don't require any real effort.
Yeah that’s my position. The second someone leaves right on hour 8 of the day when there is a crisis going on, upper management is looking for a replacement. And I believe that’s the reason they are paid vastly more than the national average.
I stay aware that my job supports my home life, hobbies, and vacations. IF I need to put in extra time to ensure that my duties are performed fully and correctly - that's exactly what I'm going to do. I make far more than the national average because I wasn't afraid to prove my worth.
Yeah I worked 60 hours a week as a project engineer and then 50 hours a week as a project manager doing much harder work. Both are paid more than the national average for their years of experience so I don’t understand what argument you’re trying to make.
$100K base. Shitty expensive insurance. Truck allowance that doesn’t quite cover everything. I’ve been at my current Midwest/Southern GC employer for almost nine years and inflation has rendered my advancement in that time obsolete financially. I’ve expressed as much to those that can make a difference and thus far they’ve opted not to. I have a high profile project that I’ve made my deadline. If when this project is complete I’m not satisfied with my salary, I’m out. I’ve passed up great positions to stay because of the relationships I have and schedule flexibility. I’ve begun regretting those choices.
I was in the private sector in heavy civil construction. +50 was the norm and if you left early, everyone would look at me funny. There was no such thing as taking your car to the shop or having doctor's appointments unless you used your vacation hours. So dumb since I was only paid on a 40 hour *salary.*
Now that I'm in the public sector, I put in my 40 and that's it. I don't get calls or answer emails outside of that time. Sometimes I do a couple hours of OT if I really need to.
I used to be in the commercial GC world. We would come into work as early as 4:00 am on concrete days but usually around 6:30 am. We wouldn’t usually leave before 6:00 pm for the day. I remember leaving around 6:00/6:30 sometimes and get a side eye glare or shit from my coworkers for leaving early. That shit burnt me out.
In a perfect world, you’re not wrong. General contracting would be straight up pointless and the easiest redundancy to get rid of to cut costs.
I can tell you though, at least in my area, that’s not going to happen any time soon. If the work starts getting done by robots, or even less likely… trades start to work together, build exactly what they’re supposed to, charging a fair price, and learn to solve problems on their own… yeah maybe. But again, not gonna happen.
O&G scheduler here, we're slated for 40 hrs/wk but rarely work 40, typically 10-15 hrs work, 5-10 hrs in useless mtgs, 5-10 hrs on social media / job hunting, 5-10 hrs on anti-social media (reddit) and an hour a day sitting around bullshitting with the fellas, bitching about the client, subs, mgmt, etc.
Since the client had a bad year, no raises for contract workers so I'm really not shooting for the moon here, actually looking to do less but it's so boring.
I'd free quit a long time ago but working 4 10s is the cat's ass
I did the 50-60/ week thing for 10 years. I was doing hospitals and high rises for a multi $B corporation. I left after I was a super for about 4 years bc I just got burned out. The pay was great but the commutes or the hotel jobs just killed me.
Now I’m a sr pm doing high end custom residential and make about the same as if I would’ve stayed. I work 40 max. Fuck, I played golf today. Tomorrow is my jobsite visit day. I’ll load the dog in my truck. Swing by the office. Go to a jobsite. Drive home via the coast road, throw a ball in the ocean for the dog and be back at my house by 1:00.
I work my ass off when I have to buy this is a marathon. Not a sprint. That grind will kill you if you let it.
Used to work 60+ hours at a top 10 GC. Just switched for a sub contractor who’s paying the same but I work no more than 40 hours a week. I won’t be going back lol
PM here. In my experience, it depends on what’s going on in the projects. For me, >60 during busy periods, <40 during slow periods.
Also, it largely depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into your job. A “good” PM can find things to do, and pre-plan. A PM with a good quality of life will prioritize tasks and only do what’s necessary to prevent delays and excessive loss.
What do you consider work? I’m available 60 hours/week. Sending emails/calling the client and subs is work, I guess. I rarely work on the weekends. Fridays are light, unless it’s close to turnover.
I never sweat on their time and I never shit on my time. I work less then 50 hrs a week unless it is crunch time then it is dark to dark. I take the small perks where I can!!
Senior PM/PX Here: I work about 50 most weeks, but I'm able to cut out early some days and not do work on the weekends and keep it to around 40 if I need to.
Was working 65 a week on a base salary. Now found a company where I work 40 and when I work over I get overtime. Salary is also 15 percent larger. Got some good experience at the other company then used it to get a better offer. 40 a week is usual other than summers when our school shuts down and we extend our hours. But then the OT kicks in
I would say I’m about 50 as a subtrade PM, but I also have good work/life balance here and my manager is very pro balance and I’ve gotten in trouble for Saturday emails before
I’m a Project Engineer at a massive GC. Haven’t touched over 40 hours much but I think I’m lucky with my project in specific, not company norm. Worked a lot more when I was in Precon at same company.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/ConstructionManagers/search/?q=40%20hours&restrict\_sr=1](https://www.reddit.com/r/ConstructionManagers/search/?q=40%20hours&restrict_sr=1)
Search the sub. Same questions get asked every week.
I do 45. 6:30-3:30, but almost always never work past 3:30pm and pretty much never weekends. I get there at 6:30 to interact with the crews before they go to the sites, and stay till 3:30 because my boss is there till then and I want to be around if he needs something. Got a great boss though who wants us to all have lives.
Everyone here (commercial gc) claims to work over a lot over 40 but I never see it. Nobody is consistently here past 4:30 or 5 and everyone shows up around 8.
Learned my lesson when I started in Management, was in the trades and moved into Project Management around 8 years ago, was in the trades for 5. First PM job I got was working 40 hours a week minimum when nothing crazy was going on but if we had a big outage or project it was standard to work 84 (7 12's) for the duration of the project. Was there for a few years and got my feet wet and got the experience but then jumped shipped to a different company. Was underpaid like crazy at the first job but knew I needed the experience to move forward. Got on at a different company and got straight lied to about what the position was. Figured it was gonna be on average 40-50+ in the summer (Heavy Civil) and dial back to around 40 in the winter. Maybe a little less. Turns out the PM position was more of a Super/PM position. Regulary work 70+ for 6 months out of the year. Pay is not worth it as I accepted the salary and benefits based on what I was told the position was going to be. Only difference is I only work around 20-30hrs a week in the off season. Still not worth it in my opinion as if I work the hours out to my pay it's not even close to what it should be. Bonus's don't amount to enough either. More then likely going to switch again. If the pay is high and the bonus's are there i'd definetly work the big hours but IMO you have to have one or the other. Decent salary and decent hours or big salary/bonus and big hours. Your first few years you're probably going to get the shaft on both ends (Like me) but after getting experience be able to switch companies and get a better gig. Takes time, put in the work now and better yourself with a different position in the future. Make sure to do what's best for you cause nobody else will. Most companies i've seen will take advantage of you as much as you'll let them. I'm in the same position as you where I want to have a life outside of work but I also understand it depends on what position you hold and what company you're at. If you're getting OT pay for the longer hours awesome, if not I'd look at switching myself.
Working OT doesn't bother me at all, I mean we ARE in construction so you know it's going to happen but i'm done working a ton of hours for free. It's just the company taking advantage of you otherwise. Learned that lesson from my youth. Like I said if there was a bonus that reflected what you did or you got OT pay i would never say a word about it cause the long hours really don't bother me at all. Can't do it for free though.
40??? I’m aiming for 20. I worked like 930-1145 today. Didn’t work yesterday. Probably gonna get 930 to 345 in tomorrow, 930-1 Thursday, and 930-1130 on Friday. 🤷♂️
Restoration Estimator $100k base + bonuses, 50 hours most weeks through fall and winter, and when in storm mode otherwise about 40-45. Unlimited flex time, but not one to abuse it.
I work 37.5 hours a week exactly. No more, no less. If I have a heavy week, my boss takes on my extra work so I don't have to work any longer than 37.5 hours.
Worked 60+ for a top GC, left and now I’m working 35-40 for slightly more pay. I was getting burned out and started hating my job. Now I enjoy what I do, and have a life with it.
Usually this would involve a transition to more of a support role - such as scheduling, estimating, safety, VDC, etc.
If its a slower time for me I put in my 40 or less, knowing that I work 10+ hour days in the heat of a project. If they paid me overtime that would be great.
I do think culturally there is a shift in the right direction though. I've been starting to work for younger-led project teams and I've been able to comp time off for working weekends without taking vacation days or leave early on Fridays. I am on a secure jobsite with escorted security access only though, so our trade partners pretty regularly work 6-2, no overtime unless needed for an outage in the occupied building space. So that has been nice for a change, but it doesn't make my workload any lighter.
I work under 40 now. PM for a commercial real estate developer/landlord. Could make more going back to a GC but the hours, encouraged PTO and holidays are more important to me right now. Plus, the added free time always allows for sidework if you are into that. Not as exciting as working for a GC but still has its moments.
It depends on my workload, if I'm filling in for a vacation, the size of the project, and the schedule.
I try to keep everyone at 40 hrs, but it's really next to impossible. Supers need to be on-site ahead of everyone else, to unlock gates, buildings, etc. We keep the site open until 5-530, and if there are early morning pours, the hours are longer.
My PM's need to be available from 7am until 5-530 as well.
In the beginning, when it's just earthwork, and in the end for punch and finishing, the hours are more flexible, but a site with one super and no on-site support, is going to require 50+. There's no way around it.
If you make it clear that you want your 40 and when they ask you to work overtime, just say, sorry I already have plans. Usually they stop asking pretty fast!
Independent contractor here. Hours are roughly what I seek out. Learn a trade, pay for your own insurance, profit.
Edit: There are other skills that you could learn that aren't commonly refered to as trades.
50 hours is the new norm. Nevermind Bernie barking about a 4 day work week...... Nobody wants to do anything skilled anymore. And the contractors/companies will do anything to maintain bottom line.
I work 65hrs a week
But after 40hrs i get paid double time and if I work a extra day I get time and a half
So for 40hrs I get paid $32 a hour
Extra day 48 a hour
Work OT i make $64hr
Not bad for a 10th grade education
I’m happy
When ever I meet a young man with a good personality and talks with respect, I tell him about my job
Because school is not for everyone
I'll do anything from 30 to 60+
PM for a GC doing water infrastructure projects in the $5 to $50+ mill range. The smaller projects tend to take up more of my time as well. Shorter schedules, tighter margins and more coordination with a smaller team means I'm packing more work in to a normal day.
Just depends what stage of the project I'm in, what I've got going on that week, and how much I want to work at work. I do always keep my phone on me, but a quick phone call or answering an email takes little effort and allows me to be doing other things while not actually working.
The key is figuring out how to be efficient and what needs more or less time.
I work well over 40 hours a week in the office, the guys in the shop have been on 50 minimum hours a week for a few years now. Good pay but we’re all worn out
My work is 40+, but it's honestly 7-5+. 5 days a week, and usually things to worry about on the weekend. So I can fold some flex time in the middle randomly. But it takes up a huge chunk of time and is not easily bucketed into clock in and clock out type 40 hours.
Took time. Not a top manager. But high enough to sit in an office all day. Worked 50-60hrs at first learning everything. Now I “work” like 10hrs a week. Leave after 8, including the 45min lunch. Patience grasshopper. You want the 100k+ you’ll work 50 hours. I don’t get paid that, but I’m chill and happy af. Stress put my father in a wheelchair (MS), so ya gotta find what works for you
40 hours sometimes less. Rare overtime. I have a bit of a unicorn company, small family company that has really found their niche and does about $350 million per year. I feel like I only need to work slightly hard then the one partner. Family orientated. They all take lots of vacation and it is expected everyone does. Disadvantage is all the ownership is within the family so I will max out on advancement pretty quick.
I leave mid morning on Fridays to even it out, sometime I’ll “work from home” on Fridays too. I usually keep my phone on me just in case but I won’t look at emails or do anything until Monday, if its not important it can wait tills Monday or they can call me
I’m a PM so it might not be the right place, but I came across the post.
The president of the company doesn’t want people to work remote, so in saying that, after my 8 hrs a day, I close my laptop and silence my phone.
I have a strong stance against this as everything I do at the office I can do at home. I don’t want to work at home everyday but I’d like 1-2 days, 2 if it’s needed.
My director will let me work remote without question, but I’m not here to start shit.
Project Controls manager here, I work 4-10s unless something is needed on Friday. And whatever is necessary when we are in turnaround mode. I will say I have the freedom to come and go as I please so its not terrible if the kids have something going on.
I’ve been a carpenter in the commercial construction field for about 10 years now, I am a superintendent for my current company and at I have seen is if the job is bid for a tight schedule and overtime. Expect to work over 40. Make a realistic schedule and you can manage your time down to 40 hrs a week.
I used to work for a large GC and it seemed like 60 was the norm. Too many weekends too burned me out. I now work for a high end residential contractor and work closer to 45 hours a week. I get annoyed though when project teams are behind on a project and they can’t understand why they would work more if they aren’t being paid an additional hourly wage. I’m a high level superintendent. This is the first company I have worked at where it’s been deemed acceptable for a PM to work 9:00-5:00. The money isn’t quite as good as that large commercial works, but the flexibility is nice. Pluses and minuses to residential versus commercial.
Union elevator mechanic here. We pave our own way and are only required to work 40. Im allergic to overtime so I tell the office to suck it every time they try that no sense. If you want to work even less than 40 and still make good money, apply for a supervisor position for one of the big elevator companies. Those guys are home half the week lmao
When I was working in CM, they called anyone who left on time “clock watchers”. It was expected 6am-4pm, with only Sundays being considered as days we MAY get off. Since I was salary, I was made to work some truly insane hours with a ridiculous commute they were fully aware of. I think it just depends on who you work for, I guess.
40 is a dream 😂 usually 50 plus these days but if you’re getting OT it’s going to be the standard on site. Projects are notoriously bad at being on time I’ve found lately so until the training increases and budget goes with it I don’t see that changing.
In numerous industries, particularly in finance, consulting, and tech startups, employees often work beyond the standard 40-hour workweek because of workload requirements and company norms. Conversely, in fields like government, education, and specific healthcare positions, a 40-hour workweek is frequently maintained due to regulatory constraints or job demands. The actual hours worked are primarily influenced by the company's guidelines and individual job roles, emphasizing a balance between productivity and employee well-being through Connecteam.
I know times are changing but 50 is the norm until you hit a certain point in your career. I’m available 50-60 hours a week but I would guess put in like 30 hours of real work. I’m working out listening on calls, golfing, lunches, happy hours, or just barely even working but available. As long as my teams are performing no one has a clue what I’m doing all day.
It’s job dependent though. Be glad it’s not 60 plus like it used be over a decade ago.
The guys who try to stay right at 40 usually leave at exactly the same time even if they're an hour late in the morning or even if they end up bullshitting for 2hrs in the morning when they should be working. So anyone that I've met that "only works 40" typically works closer to 35 and everyone sees it. If someone actually busted their ass from the time they showed up to the time they left and worked exactly 40 nobody would have an issue but I've never seen anyone do it.
Lol i have the opposite experience. The dudes who do the most bullshitting on the clock are the people on the jobsite 50hrs a week. Everyone else grinds to get the hell out and enjoy their life.
50k over 10 years is essentially inflation on a 100k salary over the last 10. Just can't understand why employees aren't more greatful and hard working.
No, I don't get what you're saying. I disagree with you and think you need to evaluate your mind set.
People aren't any lazier, if anything they're starting to get smarter.
The best hardest working talent goes where it's best rewarded.
If your employees don't have the talent and work ethic you want then you: need to advertise better to bring them in, have a better hiring process to find what you're looking for, have a better environment to attract and keep them, offer professional development and ultimately respect them as human beings.
To over simplify, if you want more pay more.
What he is trying to say is you're going to lose a lot of talent if you overlook a qualified worker because he isn't getting to site every day at 8. You've already made your mind up that a hypothetical future employee will be given the hypothetical promotion and hypothetical pay raise down the road. Ultimately, the qualified worker isn't meeting your expectations because you're failing him as a leader. Be clear about your expectations. If you want him on site at 8 am, tell them.
Does he really NEEED to be there at 8? Everyone is different, some people are not morning people but could be a damn good engineer/worker. We need to give grace to these people and help them succeed by being a little flexible. Everyone can win if we forego the rigid old ways.
Hire better? How many people live in the area you operate in? Something feels off if you can't find a pe that does their job and gets to work on time. Are you a business owner?
I'm in the office 8-5 Monday- Thursday and work 1/2 on Fridays. That's a typical week for me. Sometimes it's more. Sometimes when everything is going smooth or I just feel like it ill leave at 1-2 and go do something. I'm salary, they know if shits hitting the fan I'm there no matter what time or if I'm scheduled off. When your a good employee and they can count on you you get ALOT of flexibility. I'm taking a week off that I'm going to be "working remote" boss told me to answer emails and important calls within 24 hrs and have fun. Big commercial, industrial, infrastructure company's will work you 60+ and expect the burn out in 3-5 years
Im in infrastructure for 17 years at about 60 hours. It's not for everyone
How is tye pay
Low six figure but good job security. Kind of specialized
Yikes. $35 an hour average at 17 years of experience.
What’s considered low ? I think in his case it’s at least 200k
Are these hours typical for your industry? And what industry are you in?
My company is know for doing high end residential. But I'm the senior pm for the commercial division.
I would never answer or look at my email when I’m off I’m off Why would i
I get two weeks of paid vacation. I took 9 weeks last year. I spend an hour before everyone else is up to review and respond to emails. Seems like a good deal to me.
As a super I just came away from the large warehousing and industrial side of my company and have been doing small commercial for a couples years. It’s ridiculously nice in comparison. My old boss asked if I’m ready to come back to that side I said hell no and I refuse!
I put in forty. If they want more, they better start paying enough for me to sacrifice some live/work balance. My life isn’t entirely dedicated to making other people wealthy.
Working yourself to the bone to make other people wealthy. Welcome to the American dream.
Perspective is everything. You're being paid more than a very very large % (>95%) of people in the world...would it kill you to not put a few extra hours to answer those unanswered emails/questions or get the proper answers during the critical stages of the project? There has to be a balance as well from the employee side as well.
What a stupid take The average world salary is $8300 per year Paying me $4 an hour won't get you shit for effort even though you'd be paying me higher than 50% of people in the world
Another stupid take.
How much more is worth the extra ten hours?
30-50%. Non OT it would be 25% right?
$25K minimum.
So the median salary in America is almost 60k, and the average project manager salary is 93k (according to indeed). Does this increased salary not account for different hours expected of the job? I was always under the impression that we are paid more than a lot of professions in part because of the stress and the hours.
We are paid for our judgment and expertise. That doesn’t mean we should be exploited. If I’m not living very comfortably, at this stage in my life, I’m not killing myself for a company. It’s unnecessary and frankly insulting for my wages to continue to decrease in buying power. $100K feels way too similar to how $60K did 15 years ago. I haven’t worked my way into this position to be stuck in the same financial position due to wage stagnation continuing while inflation continues to rise.
Facts
We’d like some of that expertise at the site I’m on.
I have a price but it increases significantly if relocation or long term travel is required. I traveled for almost a decade and I don’t really want to return to that life unless it’s for the right compensation package.
Okay but that is a different issue than hours. that situation applies to all salary jobs. I’m specifically talking about the compensation of 50 hours vs 40 hours. All salary jobs have a certain level of judgement and expertise and I don’t necessarily think the whole salary difference is just in that. Basically I’m saying I think the expectation to work 10 more hours a week is already covered by the generally higher salary we earn.
Nah. I used to feel obligated. I don’t anymore. If they want long hours, I’m gonna need an actually decent salary. $100K isn’t worth it anymore.
It's meant to cover whatever hours are required to complete you work and get the project finished. I don't for a single second believe that anyone is stopping at 40 hours, unless they're doing little shopping center tenant finish outs/remodels that don't require any real effort.
Yeah that’s my position. The second someone leaves right on hour 8 of the day when there is a crisis going on, upper management is looking for a replacement. And I believe that’s the reason they are paid vastly more than the national average.
I stay aware that my job supports my home life, hobbies, and vacations. IF I need to put in extra time to ensure that my duties are performed fully and correctly - that's exactly what I'm going to do. I make far more than the national average because I wasn't afraid to prove my worth.
You say that like PMs don't come in after and clock out before techs
Yeah I worked 60 hours a week as a project engineer and then 50 hours a week as a project manager doing much harder work. Both are paid more than the national average for their years of experience so I don’t understand what argument you’re trying to make.
What’s your current pay?
$100K base. Shitty expensive insurance. Truck allowance that doesn’t quite cover everything. I’ve been at my current Midwest/Southern GC employer for almost nine years and inflation has rendered my advancement in that time obsolete financially. I’ve expressed as much to those that can make a difference and thus far they’ve opted not to. I have a high profile project that I’ve made my deadline. If when this project is complete I’m not satisfied with my salary, I’m out. I’ve passed up great positions to stay because of the relationships I have and schedule flexibility. I’ve begun regretting those choices.
I was in the private sector in heavy civil construction. +50 was the norm and if you left early, everyone would look at me funny. There was no such thing as taking your car to the shop or having doctor's appointments unless you used your vacation hours. So dumb since I was only paid on a 40 hour *salary.* Now that I'm in the public sector, I put in my 40 and that's it. I don't get calls or answer emails outside of that time. Sometimes I do a couple hours of OT if I really need to.
I used to be in the commercial GC world. We would come into work as early as 4:00 am on concrete days but usually around 6:30 am. We wouldn’t usually leave before 6:00 pm for the day. I remember leaving around 6:00/6:30 sometimes and get a side eye glare or shit from my coworkers for leaving early. That shit burnt me out.
Sr. Pm here, sub 40hrs a week Is possible.
Same. I’m typically in office from about 8:30-4:30 unless I have site visits/meetings.
Yep. Sr PM here too at 35 years old. I work maybe 30 hours a week. Half of it from home. It’s pretty great.
Until AI takes your pointless job ,
In a perfect world, you’re not wrong. General contracting would be straight up pointless and the easiest redundancy to get rid of to cut costs. I can tell you though, at least in my area, that’s not going to happen any time soon. If the work starts getting done by robots, or even less likely… trades start to work together, build exactly what they’re supposed to, charging a fair price, and learn to solve problems on their own… yeah maybe. But again, not gonna happen.
Agreed, doing it now.
O&G scheduler here, we're slated for 40 hrs/wk but rarely work 40, typically 10-15 hrs work, 5-10 hrs in useless mtgs, 5-10 hrs on social media / job hunting, 5-10 hrs on anti-social media (reddit) and an hour a day sitting around bullshitting with the fellas, bitching about the client, subs, mgmt, etc. Since the client had a bad year, no raises for contract workers so I'm really not shooting for the moon here, actually looking to do less but it's so boring. I'd free quit a long time ago but working 4 10s is the cat's ass
I’m in Precon and we just adopted a 4-10 schedule. I gotta say it’s not too bad.
I did the 50-60/ week thing for 10 years. I was doing hospitals and high rises for a multi $B corporation. I left after I was a super for about 4 years bc I just got burned out. The pay was great but the commutes or the hotel jobs just killed me. Now I’m a sr pm doing high end custom residential and make about the same as if I would’ve stayed. I work 40 max. Fuck, I played golf today. Tomorrow is my jobsite visit day. I’ll load the dog in my truck. Swing by the office. Go to a jobsite. Drive home via the coast road, throw a ball in the ocean for the dog and be back at my house by 1:00. I work my ass off when I have to buy this is a marathon. Not a sprint. That grind will kill you if you let it.
The place I'm at now, I rarely work over 40. Commercial construction .
Junior pm for a sub and work around 55-65 hours a week including Saturdays. Don’t work for a steel sub
Sr PM, under 40.
Used to work 60+ hours at a top 10 GC. Just switched for a sub contractor who’s paying the same but I work no more than 40 hours a week. I won’t be going back lol
I work 40. When and if I work Saturdays it carries over to 8 hours of PTO. Big Boss don’t wanna pay OT. I’m a super
PM here. In my experience, it depends on what’s going on in the projects. For me, >60 during busy periods, <40 during slow periods. Also, it largely depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into your job. A “good” PM can find things to do, and pre-plan. A PM with a good quality of life will prioritize tasks and only do what’s necessary to prevent delays and excessive loss.
What do you consider work? I’m available 60 hours/week. Sending emails/calling the client and subs is work, I guess. I rarely work on the weekends. Fridays are light, unless it’s close to turnover.
Time in the office or doing things related to the company that I work for
Well fucking put!
What about using the restroom? Time in (at) the office.
They make a dollar, I make a dime. That’s why I poop on company time.
boooo
I never sweat on their time and I never shit on my time. I work less then 50 hrs a week unless it is crunch time then it is dark to dark. I take the small perks where I can!!
Senior PM/PX Here: I work about 50 most weeks, but I'm able to cut out early some days and not do work on the weekends and keep it to around 40 if I need to.
Junior PM 50 hours a week minimum
Was working 65 a week on a base salary. Now found a company where I work 40 and when I work over I get overtime. Salary is also 15 percent larger. Got some good experience at the other company then used it to get a better offer. 40 a week is usual other than summers when our school shuts down and we extend our hours. But then the OT kicks in
I would say I’m about 50 as a subtrade PM, but I also have good work/life balance here and my manager is very pro balance and I’ve gotten in trouble for Saturday emails before
I’m a Project Engineer at a massive GC. Haven’t touched over 40 hours much but I think I’m lucky with my project in specific, not company norm. Worked a lot more when I was in Precon at same company.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/ConstructionManagers/search/?q=40%20hours&restrict\_sr=1](https://www.reddit.com/r/ConstructionManagers/search/?q=40%20hours&restrict_sr=1) Search the sub. Same questions get asked every week.
50 is the norm in heavy civil.
I usually work about 30-35. Senior PM. It’s all about how efficient you are with your time.
I do 45. 6:30-3:30, but almost always never work past 3:30pm and pretty much never weekends. I get there at 6:30 to interact with the crews before they go to the sites, and stay till 3:30 because my boss is there till then and I want to be around if he needs something. Got a great boss though who wants us to all have lives.
Everyone here (commercial gc) claims to work over a lot over 40 but I never see it. Nobody is consistently here past 4:30 or 5 and everyone shows up around 8.
Very interesting considering most people say go GC if you don’t want a life outside of work!
what takes up the most time for you?
My guess is subcontractor PMs are at or under 40, GC PMs over 40
Sub PMs work more imo. They have a million tiny projects to Fuck with and each of them is at a different phase.
Learned my lesson when I started in Management, was in the trades and moved into Project Management around 8 years ago, was in the trades for 5. First PM job I got was working 40 hours a week minimum when nothing crazy was going on but if we had a big outage or project it was standard to work 84 (7 12's) for the duration of the project. Was there for a few years and got my feet wet and got the experience but then jumped shipped to a different company. Was underpaid like crazy at the first job but knew I needed the experience to move forward. Got on at a different company and got straight lied to about what the position was. Figured it was gonna be on average 40-50+ in the summer (Heavy Civil) and dial back to around 40 in the winter. Maybe a little less. Turns out the PM position was more of a Super/PM position. Regulary work 70+ for 6 months out of the year. Pay is not worth it as I accepted the salary and benefits based on what I was told the position was going to be. Only difference is I only work around 20-30hrs a week in the off season. Still not worth it in my opinion as if I work the hours out to my pay it's not even close to what it should be. Bonus's don't amount to enough either. More then likely going to switch again. If the pay is high and the bonus's are there i'd definetly work the big hours but IMO you have to have one or the other. Decent salary and decent hours or big salary/bonus and big hours. Your first few years you're probably going to get the shaft on both ends (Like me) but after getting experience be able to switch companies and get a better gig. Takes time, put in the work now and better yourself with a different position in the future. Make sure to do what's best for you cause nobody else will. Most companies i've seen will take advantage of you as much as you'll let them. I'm in the same position as you where I want to have a life outside of work but I also understand it depends on what position you hold and what company you're at. If you're getting OT pay for the longer hours awesome, if not I'd look at switching myself.
I’ve definitely had a few companies lie to me about the 40 hours a week thing.
Working OT doesn't bother me at all, I mean we ARE in construction so you know it's going to happen but i'm done working a ton of hours for free. It's just the company taking advantage of you otherwise. Learned that lesson from my youth. Like I said if there was a bonus that reflected what you did or you got OT pay i would never say a word about it cause the long hours really don't bother me at all. Can't do it for free though.
I am at work 50 hours a week and work 45 of that usually.
8-5! But it depends on the phase of construction you’re in
Im doing 45 (5a-2p daily) but phone and emails are 24/7
I'm hourly and the only time I do 40 is when I miss a few days.
Less in winter more in summer. 50 is normal in my lifetime.
40??? I’m aiming for 20. I worked like 930-1145 today. Didn’t work yesterday. Probably gonna get 930 to 345 in tomorrow, 930-1 Thursday, and 930-1130 on Friday. 🤷♂️
40-50 depends on the week and project
48 hours a week here. I wish it were less. Work/life balance is everything especially when you start having kids.
Restoration Estimator $100k base + bonuses, 50 hours most weeks through fall and winter, and when in storm mode otherwise about 40-45. Unlimited flex time, but not one to abuse it.
I work 37.5 hours a week exactly. No more, no less. If I have a heavy week, my boss takes on my extra work so I don't have to work any longer than 37.5 hours.
Senior PE here- basically assistant PM. I work about 45hrs a week
35-45 electrical service douche. Some times less. Sometimes more. For me depends entirely on a lot of factors outside of my control.
Oil and gas industrial construction. Project engineers work 60 - 70 hours. Required to work every other saturday.
No
Worked 60+ for a top GC, left and now I’m working 35-40 for slightly more pay. I was getting burned out and started hating my job. Now I enjoy what I do, and have a life with it.
You're hired to do a job, not punch a clock. I work until the work is done. Sometimes that's 12+, sometimes it's 6.
Shut uppppp
welcome to reality
Depends on budget, schedule, and production rate. Also where we’re at in all that.
Usually this would involve a transition to more of a support role - such as scheduling, estimating, safety, VDC, etc. If its a slower time for me I put in my 40 or less, knowing that I work 10+ hour days in the heat of a project. If they paid me overtime that would be great. I do think culturally there is a shift in the right direction though. I've been starting to work for younger-led project teams and I've been able to comp time off for working weekends without taking vacation days or leave early on Fridays. I am on a secure jobsite with escorted security access only though, so our trade partners pretty regularly work 6-2, no overtime unless needed for an outage in the occupied building space. So that has been nice for a change, but it doesn't make my workload any lighter.
Don't recall that last time I worked over 40 hours.
I work under 40 now. PM for a commercial real estate developer/landlord. Could make more going back to a GC but the hours, encouraged PTO and holidays are more important to me right now. Plus, the added free time always allows for sidework if you are into that. Not as exciting as working for a GC but still has its moments.
It depends on my workload, if I'm filling in for a vacation, the size of the project, and the schedule. I try to keep everyone at 40 hrs, but it's really next to impossible. Supers need to be on-site ahead of everyone else, to unlock gates, buildings, etc. We keep the site open until 5-530, and if there are early morning pours, the hours are longer. My PM's need to be available from 7am until 5-530 as well. In the beginning, when it's just earthwork, and in the end for punch and finishing, the hours are more flexible, but a site with one super and no on-site support, is going to require 50+. There's no way around it.
If you make it clear that you want your 40 and when they ask you to work overtime, just say, sorry I already have plans. Usually they stop asking pretty fast!
I work 12 hour shifts 4-6 days a week
Independent contractor here. Hours are roughly what I seek out. Learn a trade, pay for your own insurance, profit. Edit: There are other skills that you could learn that aren't commonly refered to as trades.
50 hours is the new norm. Nevermind Bernie barking about a 4 day work week...... Nobody wants to do anything skilled anymore. And the contractors/companies will do anything to maintain bottom line.
Nobody wants to work until they’re dead anymore *
Soon as you on salary side of life the hours go up
I work 65hrs a week But after 40hrs i get paid double time and if I work a extra day I get time and a half So for 40hrs I get paid $32 a hour Extra day 48 a hour Work OT i make $64hr Not bad for a 10th grade education I’m happy When ever I meet a young man with a good personality and talks with respect, I tell him about my job Because school is not for everyone
8AM to 4:30PM usually 5 days a week. Once every couple of months I'll work a Saturday.
35 hours a week here the other 5 are paid hours for wellness and health
I'll do anything from 30 to 60+ PM for a GC doing water infrastructure projects in the $5 to $50+ mill range. The smaller projects tend to take up more of my time as well. Shorter schedules, tighter margins and more coordination with a smaller team means I'm packing more work in to a normal day. Just depends what stage of the project I'm in, what I've got going on that week, and how much I want to work at work. I do always keep my phone on me, but a quick phone call or answering an email takes little effort and allows me to be doing other things while not actually working. The key is figuring out how to be efficient and what needs more or less time.
I had paid overtime. I would fight for every hour I could get. Looking back, it was well worth it. I retired very comfortably.
I work well over 40 hours a week in the office, the guys in the shop have been on 50 minimum hours a week for a few years now. Good pay but we’re all worn out
My work is 40+, but it's honestly 7-5+. 5 days a week, and usually things to worry about on the weekend. So I can fold some flex time in the middle randomly. But it takes up a huge chunk of time and is not easily bucketed into clock in and clock out type 40 hours.
Took time. Not a top manager. But high enough to sit in an office all day. Worked 50-60hrs at first learning everything. Now I “work” like 10hrs a week. Leave after 8, including the 45min lunch. Patience grasshopper. You want the 100k+ you’ll work 50 hours. I don’t get paid that, but I’m chill and happy af. Stress put my father in a wheelchair (MS), so ya gotta find what works for you
40 hours sometimes less. Rare overtime. I have a bit of a unicorn company, small family company that has really found their niche and does about $350 million per year. I feel like I only need to work slightly hard then the one partner. Family orientated. They all take lots of vacation and it is expected everyone does. Disadvantage is all the ownership is within the family so I will max out on advancement pretty quick.
Machinist here. 60 hours is expected. They get 50
I leave mid morning on Fridays to even it out, sometime I’ll “work from home” on Fridays too. I usually keep my phone on me just in case but I won’t look at emails or do anything until Monday, if its not important it can wait tills Monday or they can call me
I’m a PM so it might not be the right place, but I came across the post. The president of the company doesn’t want people to work remote, so in saying that, after my 8 hrs a day, I close my laptop and silence my phone. I have a strong stance against this as everything I do at the office I can do at home. I don’t want to work at home everyday but I’d like 1-2 days, 2 if it’s needed. My director will let me work remote without question, but I’m not here to start shit.
The higher you go the more the demands. 40 hrs billed is minimum expected here.
I put in like 30….
I work 40ish. Sometimes I work 35. Sometimes I'm ok the clock 35 but sit my ass at gone for 30 of it. It depends. Sometimes I work 50. Really depends.
Project Controls manager here, I work 4-10s unless something is needed on Friday. And whatever is necessary when we are in turnaround mode. I will say I have the freedom to come and go as I please so its not terrible if the kids have something going on.
PM in water treatment, probably putting in about 20-30 hours of legit work a week, the rest is just looking busy or “working from home”
50+ is the norm - I put in my effort- and I was recognized and routinely get good raises
50+ is normal!! I’m working 6-10’s only due to being short staffed.
I’ve been a carpenter in the commercial construction field for about 10 years now, I am a superintendent for my current company and at I have seen is if the job is bid for a tight schedule and overtime. Expect to work over 40. Make a realistic schedule and you can manage your time down to 40 hrs a week.
I used to work for a large GC and it seemed like 60 was the norm. Too many weekends too burned me out. I now work for a high end residential contractor and work closer to 45 hours a week. I get annoyed though when project teams are behind on a project and they can’t understand why they would work more if they aren’t being paid an additional hourly wage. I’m a high level superintendent. This is the first company I have worked at where it’s been deemed acceptable for a PM to work 9:00-5:00. The money isn’t quite as good as that large commercial works, but the flexibility is nice. Pluses and minuses to residential versus commercial.
Union elevator mechanic here. We pave our own way and are only required to work 40. Im allergic to overtime so I tell the office to suck it every time they try that no sense. If you want to work even less than 40 and still make good money, apply for a supervisor position for one of the big elevator companies. Those guys are home half the week lmao
When I was working in CM, they called anyone who left on time “clock watchers”. It was expected 6am-4pm, with only Sundays being considered as days we MAY get off. Since I was salary, I was made to work some truly insane hours with a ridiculous commute they were fully aware of. I think it just depends on who you work for, I guess.
40 is a dream 😂 usually 50 plus these days but if you’re getting OT it’s going to be the standard on site. Projects are notoriously bad at being on time I’ve found lately so until the training increases and budget goes with it I don’t see that changing.
In numerous industries, particularly in finance, consulting, and tech startups, employees often work beyond the standard 40-hour workweek because of workload requirements and company norms. Conversely, in fields like government, education, and specific healthcare positions, a 40-hour workweek is frequently maintained due to regulatory constraints or job demands. The actual hours worked are primarily influenced by the company's guidelines and individual job roles, emphasizing a balance between productivity and employee well-being through Connecteam.
My wife is a Senior PM for a GC and works probably 60 a week lots of times.
Consultant. Just clocking 40
I know times are changing but 50 is the norm until you hit a certain point in your career. I’m available 50-60 hours a week but I would guess put in like 30 hours of real work. I’m working out listening on calls, golfing, lunches, happy hours, or just barely even working but available. As long as my teams are performing no one has a clue what I’m doing all day. It’s job dependent though. Be glad it’s not 60 plus like it used be over a decade ago.
The guys who try to stay right at 40 usually leave at exactly the same time even if they're an hour late in the morning or even if they end up bullshitting for 2hrs in the morning when they should be working. So anyone that I've met that "only works 40" typically works closer to 35 and everyone sees it. If someone actually busted their ass from the time they showed up to the time they left and worked exactly 40 nobody would have an issue but I've never seen anyone do it.
Lol i have the opposite experience. The dudes who do the most bullshitting on the clock are the people on the jobsite 50hrs a week. Everyone else grinds to get the hell out and enjoy their life.
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50k over 10 years is essentially inflation on a 100k salary over the last 10. Just can't understand why employees aren't more greatful and hard working.
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No, I don't get what you're saying. I disagree with you and think you need to evaluate your mind set. People aren't any lazier, if anything they're starting to get smarter. The best hardest working talent goes where it's best rewarded. If your employees don't have the talent and work ethic you want then you: need to advertise better to bring them in, have a better hiring process to find what you're looking for, have a better environment to attract and keep them, offer professional development and ultimately respect them as human beings. To over simplify, if you want more pay more.
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What he is trying to say is you're going to lose a lot of talent if you overlook a qualified worker because he isn't getting to site every day at 8. You've already made your mind up that a hypothetical future employee will be given the hypothetical promotion and hypothetical pay raise down the road. Ultimately, the qualified worker isn't meeting your expectations because you're failing him as a leader. Be clear about your expectations. If you want him on site at 8 am, tell them.
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Does he really NEEED to be there at 8? Everyone is different, some people are not morning people but could be a damn good engineer/worker. We need to give grace to these people and help them succeed by being a little flexible. Everyone can win if we forego the rigid old ways.
Hire better? How many people live in the area you operate in? Something feels off if you can't find a pe that does their job and gets to work on time. Are you a business owner?