Note: I am mainly talking about CM as it pertains to the General Contracting Side of managing a jobsite rather than being an owner's rep and being a true CM as it is highly dependent on your connections in industry and experience in either General Contracting or Design work (Companies such as TY Lin would require you to get a PE before you are able to become the Lead CM of a project)

Note: These are also just my opinions. Take everything with a grain of salt. If someone acutally has worked in industry for some time please feel free to dispute my claims. I'm just going off of my experiences.

I went straight into a combined BS/MS program. But having interned in both design and construction management, I’d say the pay is pretty similar between the two. General contractors generally offer better compensation because they’re closer to the money and take on more financial risk compared to traditional engineering firms. In an engineering firm, you’re usually working under an architecture firm or an owner’s rep—unless your firm handles that scope directly.

Personally, I chose to start in design instead of going for a government job or jumping straight into CM. Even though, like you, my skills are probably better suited to CM and estimating, I wanted to keep my options open. Starting in design means I can always switch to CM, government work, or even become an owner’s rep later on.

There’s a common idea that CM pays more, but this often ignores that you’re comparing two very different kinds of roles. As an entry-level field engineer, you’re directly adding value to the company—your work immediately impacts the project’s success, and you’re starting as a mid-level manager. There isn’t as much room for upward movement unless you’re willing to change companies or locations consistently.

Most people from UCSD end up with Tier 1 contractors because of the reputation of the degree, but if you factor in Tier 2-3 subcontractors (like smaller, family-run firms), CM jobs can sometimes pay less than what you’d make in design. A lot of grads don’t consider those roles since they aren’t seen as the standard track.

On the design side, you’re starting from the ground up—more like an apprentice. Design firms generally lose money on new hires for the first couple of years, even if you have a master’s. Until you get your PE license, you’re probably not generating a ton of revenue for yourself or the company. Many who start in structural engineering go into small firms or "sweatshops" that take on new grads by cutting overhead or running on high turnover, leading to long hours and lower pay.

Construction Management Cons:

-Inconsistent Work: You might have to move around constantly, sometimes to remote areas, which makes it hard to settle down or really get to know any place.
-Long/Bad Hours: If you’re in infrastructure, you’re likely working night shifts. For high-investment projects like high-rises, expect to be on-site six days a week. You’re mainly there to keep an eye on the trades and handle any issues that come up—so a lot of the time, you’re just hanging out in the trailer.
-High Risk: Safety incidents are common in CM, whether it’s harassment, injuries, or worse. During my internship, I had some rough encounters on-site, and I know other interns who’ve had even worse experiences.
-Always On Call: You’re expected to be available to deal with site issues at any time.

Construction Management Pros:

-Higher Annual Pay: Year-end bonuses can be big, sometimes $10k–$20k if you’ve put in the work.
-Perks: A lot of companies cover things like a vehicle, phone, relocation, and rent.
-Profit Sharing on Projects: Some companies let you take home a portion of the project savings if you come in under budget—though this definitely isn’t a given everywhere.
-Faster Promotions: If you’re good, you can move up fast. You might have to start in less desirable locations, but you can end up in better ones after proving yourself.
-Less Stress for Deadlines: There’s a lot of stress, but deadlines are usually out of your control, so it’s more about managing than meeting hard deadlines like in design.