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December 19, 2024
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This post was originally published in August 2021 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
With the cost of traditional 4-year colleges and no guarantee of a stable, well-paying job after graduating, those entering the workforce are faced with a big decision: What are my options? That same question is asked by professionals looking to change industries or learn something new but who lack the desire, funds, or time to go back to college. So, what’s out there on the job market?
The construction industry has your answer. After taking a hit from the restraints of the pandemic and dealing with an after-math workforce shortage, companies are still on the lookout for laborers in skilled trades and paying top-notch to fill the void.
Still skeptical about how much you can thrive in construction? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry will grow by about 663,500 openings on average annually for the rest of the decade.
Just to take one example, the Construction Laborer and Helper position, one of the most common entry-level jobs with no experience required, has a growth expectation of 7% from 2023 to 2033; this means this single construction career will grow faster than the average for all U.S. occupations.
If you’re convinced about starting a career in construction, your next concern is probably how you can land a job in this industry without previous experience or a related background. Well, fortunately, there are many options you can explore to make a career change, and here is a step-by-step guide you can take to increase your chances of landing an entry-level construction role.
Even though there are many ways to get into construction with no experience, keep in mind this is a hands-on industry. Therefore, investing a few years in acquiring technical skills and knowledge is essential to make your profile more appealing to employers. For this sake, going through apprenticeships and temporary jobs will allow you to add work experience to your resume while getting on-the-job training.
Working with a recruiter is another strategy you can try hand-by-hand with the above step-by-step to excel in your job hunt results. Aside from getting access to their client’s job opportunities, they can also assess and make suggestions to your profile, prepare you for the job interview, and guide you throughout the whole hiring process.
Whether you’ve decided to follow our suggestions to start a career in construction or feel ready to submit job applications, here are some entry-level jobs that pay a salary worth checking out and only require high school-level education and no previous experience in construction.
All these roles working together need quality checks, especially to guarantee the projects meet contract specifications and zoning regulations. This is where construction inspectors take the spotlight as they ensure the structures built by crews are safe and all its systems, such as ventilation, plumbing, etc., are correctly installed and functional.
Most states and localities require construction inspectors to have a license or certification. Since they follow ordinances, regulations, codes, and any construction contract specifications, they must have at least a high school diploma. Due to the importance of the role, employers often lean for candidates with a related bachelor’s degree, courses in building inspection, or any other sort of continuous education.
A big responsibility, right? Fortunately, this position has a very competitive salary for an entry-level job requiring no previous construction experience. Construction inspectors’ median yearly wage is $67,000. Nevertheless, the top 10% in this position earn up to $106,200.
Troubleshooting pipework is no easy feat. Installing, inspecting, and repairing pipes takes unbelievable problem-solving and precision. Even though plumbers face less danger than electricians, piping systems are responsible for gas, air, and any other liquids necessary for the houses, businesses, and other buildings they service.
Following your high school education, it may be best to train as an apprentice if you want to get into the plumbing business. Staying current with safety regulations and getting the much-needed hands-on experience and training will set you up for a job with a union or independent work. Again, each state will have its own required licenses.
Though this isn’t the type of employment most job seekers are scouring job boards for, plumbers are paid a pretty penny without requiring a degree or experience. Ranked #5 in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ top-paying construction jobs, plumbers make an average of $61,550 a year.
Safety coordinators have become a highly valued position since workers’ safety is a key aspect of any construction site. They oversee locations’ security and ensure both employees and visitors follow safety guidelines and regulations during their activities.
Believe it or not, despite the importance of their labor, this role belongs to the entry-level jobs category, as they mostly work under the supervision of a safety manager. Nevertheless, most safety coordinators have a bachelor’s or associate degree as a minimum, and depending on the state and employer, you may have to get a certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
While being in charge of safety training, protocols, and others’ security is quite a responsibility, this is a rewarding career with a very attractive wage for those looking to get into construction in a less hands-on job. According to Indeed, as a safety coordinator, you can make $60,777 on average, and depending on your career growth, your earnings can range up to $91,001.
From blueprints to maintenance, electricians design, install, inspect, repair, and maintain electrical systems within homes, businesses, and other buildings. Due to the risks they face when dealing with old wiring and working at dangerous heights and tight spaces, protective gear and a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings are essential tools in this field.
You can begin a career as an electrician through an apprenticeship program or by attending a technical school. You’ll need to keep up with the basics of electrical information, primary safety practices, updated electrical codes, and specific manufacturer products.
So, what’s the salary price tag for this entry-level construction job? Electricians earn $60,240 a year on average without a degree and a projected growth of 49,200 new jobs. With the intensity and physical demand of the job, a career in this trade is bound to be stressful, but with the right skill and good training, it may just be worth the price.
Not all construction trades are related to building structures only, there are other positions that are dedicated to maintaining structures, too. This is the case of roofers, who aside from installing, they also replace and repair constructions ceilings with different materials such as shingles, bitumen, and metal.
Despite no formal education or experience is required for this construction career, roofers typically receive on-the-job training on how to use roofing tools, equipment, machines, and materials. This and any other type of continuous education, alongside certificification are a must if you aim to qualify for better job opportunities and greater pay.
All the hard work and physically demanding conditions of this entry-level construction job are rewarded with a median annual salary of $50,030 and a top wage of $79,850, depending on your experience, credentials, and projects, according to the BLS.
Someone has to handle all those large and heavy pieces of machinery, and construction equipment operators are just the people the job calls for. They excavate, pave, move materials, and even maintain the tools and machinery they use. They’re also responsible for ensuring their job is done as safely and efficiently as possible so that everyone else on the job site can do theirs, too.
Networking and on-the-job training are the beginning steps for those looking to join this field of work. There are also apprenticeship programs available where construction workers may find themselves sponsored by a union or contractor. State licensing and certifications may vary.
With the burden of job-site safety and proper machine use, you might ask, what’s the average salary for this entry-level position? According to U.S. News “Best Construction Jobs” list, equipment operators make $51,430 a year on average, although the 25% best-paid can make up to $68,330. It’s a relief that the pay reflects the challenge of the role, right?
Once construction crews finish a structure, it’s time for flooring installers to step up and start the detailing process. As the name implies, according to the project blueprints, they’re responsible for measuring the space, leveling flooring, and installing carpet, tile, wood, and other materials in residences.
One of the perks of this trade is you can make a career out of it with no formal educational requirements. Candidates who want to get started in this role usually enter apprenticeship programs, in which they complete specific hours of technical instruction and on-the-job training. Though certifications aren’t usually required for floor installers, they’re much appreciated by employers.
Another upside of this construction career is the expected career growth—about 6% per year for the rest of the decade—a faster pace than the average for all U.S. occupations. For those interested in this career path but doubtful about the earnings, flooring installers make $49,494 on average, according to Indeed.
Manpower is an essential aspect of the construction industry, and for most of the above positions, laborers’ support allows them to achieve goals on time. As an assisting role, they clean work areas and equipment, unload materials, assemble and disassemble structures, dig trenches for pipping, and sometimes prep the construction site before other crews begin their work.
This is a no-previous-experience construction job by excellence since most of their duties are learned on the job; nevertheless, employers usually prefer applicants with a high school education and may require them to take an apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job training with technical instruction.
As minimal as their role may seem, the responsibility of following blueprints and instructions from construction managers and being up to date with safety practices and project plans is well rewarded. According to the BLS, laborers have a median annual wage of $44,310 and can go up to $73,310.
Pick up a hard hat and give it a try.
Skilled laborers are an essential asset to the construction workforce and the entire industry. Day in and day out, their intellectual strength and technical know-how are put to the test in some of the most challenging and dangerous environments.
Suppose you’re interested in learning the ins and outs of trades in construction. In that case, it may be beneficial to do some research on local construction companies or contractor associations. Search for trade schools or formal apprenticeship programs nearby with the resources and training necessary for your newfound professional goals. Better yet, find a mentor who can help guide and mold you into the next MVP of construction.
A recruiter could also be an excellent resource for getting into the construction industry with a high-paying job. As the eyes and ears of the industry, gpac is a recruiting agency that places individuals in the construction industry daily across the nation, so be sure to check out the Job Board or reach out to one of our recruiters.
Contributed by Mary Dominguez and Luis Arellano
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