Working in construction has a lot of benefits. It is an industry where there is always demand, so you have job security, excellent opportunities for growth in your career, higher than average salaries, among many others. In fact, despite the economic downturn witnessed globally, this industry continues to grow, and the Bureau of Labor has projected a 10% rise in employment within the industry in the next ten years. With the low barrier to entry into the industry, you can consider a career in construction. Here, we examine the most lucrative contractor jobs in the industry.
Electrician:
Electrical jobs are one of the highest paying jobs that do not require a college degree. It allows you to be your own boss and handle an essential part of every construction process. An electrician’s job includes installation, maintenance, and repairs of all electrical appliances and systems within buildings. The average salary is between $50,000 and $60,000, and those in the top percentile earn as much as above $90,000.
Plumber:
This is one of the most in-demand jobs with a 14% growth projection in ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor. Every building needs good plumbing, and the plumber handles everything that has to do with laying pipes and installing the overall plumbing system for the transportation of liquid or gas with a building. Maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs are part of a plumber’s work—no wonder the average salary is over $53,000.
Carpenter:
No matter how advanced the technology and building materials used for construction should become, wood will always be necessary. Carpenters are the ones who handle everything that has to do with using wood, making this job one of the most versatile in the construction industry. They handle everything from building and installing cabinets, constructing roofs, creating footings for building, etc. Given the versatility of the work, it is no surprise that there are specialty fields in carpentry. The average salary is around $46,590, but the specialty could go a long way in determining the actual salary.
Equipment Operator:
Construction, especially commercial ones, usually require the use of heavy equipment that need specially trained and skilled operators. Machines such as backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, cranes, steam rollers, etc. are what these operators drive, and the average salary for someone doing this kind of job is $46,990. The construction site and the nature of the heavy equipment are other factors that determine the salary of the operators.
Mason:
Concrete is the most used building material, making masons the most essential workers in the construction industry. Masons work with concrete, stones, and bricks, with different specialties existing within the profession. When it comes to constructing anything from a sidewalk to a skyscraper, Masons are involved. The average salary for masons is $44,810 with brick masons.
Glazer:
Glazier jobs are mostly seen in commercial construction and involve installing and fitting glass doors and windows. It is a very skilled trade essential in the construction process. It is a profitable trade with The average salary of a glazier being $43,550.
