11 Construction Jobs with High Demand

Here are 11 construction jobs with high demand, occupations that offer excellent employment prospects, in the industry which will continue to expand. The building sector will add 790,400 new positions by 2024, which is one of the largest gains.

Currently, the unemployment rate in the field is 6.3 which is a little higher compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report shows that employment has changed a little in April. The building sector added 5,000 jobs, the majority of which was opened in nonresidential sector. Latest gain was considerably smaller compared to February when there was the increase of 54,000 positions.

Around 6.8 million people are working in the building industry and their average hourly wage is $28.55. There are significant income differences across states in the US. For instance, in some parts of America blue collar occupations such as construction laborers are paid nearly $50,000 per year as you can see on our previous list 25 best states for construction workers. Besides solid earnings, construction industry offers plenty of employment opportunities, especially if you have experience under your belt which is one of the most important things employers seek in future employees. The Associated General Contractors of America’s survey revealed that building firms have trouble finding skilled workers – 83% of surveyed construction companies said they experienced difficulties finding qualified craft workers and 61% reported a shortage of qualified construction professionals.

Nice paycheck and opportunity to quickly find a job draw many people into the construction sector. However, some of the building occupations are physically demanding and sometimes hazardous. The latest report on workers deaths shows that the building industry is the most dangerous one. In 2015 there were 937 fatal work injuries which is the highest number in the last seven years.

In creating the ranking of 11 construction jobs with high demand we relied on BLS data and its projections about job growth for different occupations. We ranked occupations using as a criteria the number of jobs that they will gain in the future.

11. Sheet metal workers

Job increase: 39,800

Sheet metal workers “design, fabricate and install heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems”. They receive an annual median wage of $46,940, which is close to the national average. The best-paying state for the occupation is Alaska with an annual average wage of $78,360 while California, which has the highest employment for the occupation, will add the greatest number of jobs in the following years.

10. Cement masons, concrete finishers, and terrazzo workers

Job increase: 39,900

Cement masons, concrete finishers, and terrazzo workers, that rank 10th on our list of construction jobs with high demand and who perform one of the most physically demanding jobs among listed occupations, are one of the lowest compensated workers on this list with an average wage of $36,149 yearly. High school diploma along with on-job training is usually sufficient to secure the job and all of these workers are employed in the construction industry. The best-paying state is Wyoming ($73,766) while California once again offers the best employment opportunities.

9. Highway maintenance workers

Job increase: 47,600

Highway maintenance workers also perform physically demanding job mainly because they work in almost all weather conditions. They often must lift heavy objects and spend most of the time standing beside roads. Their median annual wage is  $39, 540 while in Connecticut they receive $53,360. Idaho will see the greatest job increase adding 580 new positions annually by 2024.

8. Construction manager

Job increase: 70,100

Construction managers are highest paid workers on this list. Their median annual wage is $89,300, while in some states such as New Jersey they earn as much as $141,500. There are almost 250,000 construction managers in the USA and the majority is employed in the nonresidential building industry which is also the best paying field for the occupation with an annual wage of $100,630. Among listed workers building managers are the most educated ones since the position usually requires a BA degree in construction science or similar. Associate degree with work experience may serve as a substitute for BA diploma.

7. Painters and paperhangers

Job increase: 85,100

After best paying here comes lowest paying occupation on the list. Painters and paperhangers, the next one on the list of construction jobs with high demand earn an annual average salary of $29,398, which is much lower even compared to the national average. Only in Alaska these workers are nicely compensated since they earn around $67,000 yearly. Still, employment prospects for painters are excellent and the position does not require any schooling.

6. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

Job increase: 97,800

Besides operating construction equipment, such as bulldozers, derricks, tractors, etc. these workers are also responsible for maintenance of vehicles used in the building industry. Their annual mean wage is $50, 560. According to Projection Central, Texas offers the best employment opportunities as this is the state which will add the highest number of jobs. However, if you are looking for solid wage do not go to Lone Star State where an annual mean wage is $40,000, but to New York the best-paying state with an annual salary of $74,900.

5. Supervisors of construction and extraction workers

Job increase: 103,600

Up next on the list of construction jobs with high demand are supervisors of construction and extraction workers can count on a median annual wage of $62,980. The best state for these workers is New York, which offers one of the highest salaries ($85,200) and excellent employment opportunities. The majority of construction supervisors does not have a college degree but only a high school diploma. However, employers are more willing to give a job to candidates with some college training. Experience in the building industry is another important factor that employers consider in the recruitment process. Many construction supervisors start as building laborers and advance to supervision position.

4. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Job increase: 116,500

High school diploma accompanied by on-job training are the only requirements for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, whose annual median wage is $51,450. The best-paying state for these three occupations, which Bureau of Labor Statistics groups together, is New York with an annual median salary of $76,750, while California offers the best employment opportunities since it will add the greatest number of jobs in the following years. Duties of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are in many aspects similar but there are a few differences. While plumbers are usually responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining pipes in residential and business buildings, pipefitters and steamfitters are employed in industrial and manufacturing sector where they are responsible for systems that carry gases, steam and chemicals.

3. Carpenters

Job increase: 169,100

At number three on our list of construction jobs with high demand we have carpenters that might not earn much (annual median salary is $43,600) but they do not have problems finding a job since home building and remodeling will continue to grow with population increase. The occupation is best compensated in Alaska ($69,700) while California will see the highest job increase. Like other blue collar jobs in the construction industry carpenters do not need much schooling – three or four-year apprenticeship program is the only requirement. The majority of carpenters work in the residential building sector while a considerable share is self-employed.

2. Electricians

Job increase: 181,800

Electrician job is one of the least physically demanding in the construction industry which makes it very desirable for those who are looking for the occupation that pays well without requiring long schooling. That’s the reason why it found its place on our list of 6 easiest jobs in construction that pay well. These workers receive an annual median salary of $52,720 while Alaska is once again top-paying state ($81,600). For years there has been strong demand for the occupation which will remain the case in the future. California will see the greatest job increase adding 2,790 positions yearly.

1. Construction laborers

Job increase: 378,600

Construction laborers occupy first place on the list of 11 construction jobs with high demand. These workers perform a range of duties such as cleaning construction sites, loading material, helping other craft workers. The occupation employs the greatest number of people and it will see the greatest job increase in the following years. Many people start their career in the building sector working as laborers and then advance by acquiring additional experience and training. The annual median wage of construction laborers is $33,430. The best-paying state for the occupation is Illinois ($56,180) while Texas will add the greatest number of jobs (5,710 annually).