These are the Highest-Paying Construction Jobs

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After the beginning of the pandemic rocked the construction industry to the ground, it is coming back stronger than ever. In the following decade, it is projected to continue to grow and gain about 400,000 new jobs in construction by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Construction is vital for the development of society. The more people there are in a given place, the more housing, recreation spaces, and workspaces are needed. These are not always built from scratch, but buildings and infrastructure require constant upkeep to be entirely safe and usable, which means a continuous influx of construction jobs all over the country.

Not only that, but this industry is open to anyone with nerves of steel. There are jobs for people from all walks of life, some of the best-paying ones only needing a high school diploma. The variety of jobs required to build and maintain structures means that people with no experience, nor formal education, can always find an entry-level position in a trade.

But with all this variety, the question remains: What’s the highest paying job in construction? 

According to the Bureau of Labor statistics these are the top 10 paying construction jobs:

1. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers: $97,860

2. Civil engineers: $88,050

3. Architects: $80,180

4. Boilermakers: $64,290

5. Construction and building inspectors: $61,640

6. Electricians: $60,040

7. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: $59,880

8. Ironworkers: $57,160

9. Sheet metal workers: $53,440

10.  Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers: $48,350

Explore these 5 highest-paid construction jobs further

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

Median yearly salary: $97,860

Median hourly wage: $47.05

Have you ever tried getting to the fourth floor only to find out that the elevator is malfunctioning? Yeah, it’s no fun. And that’s the reason why elevator and escalator repairers have the highest paying job in construction, according to their median salary. They’re the ones who install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts, thus providing accessibility to everyone.

What you need:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• No previous related experience
• You’d be on an apprenticeship as on the job training 
• Ability to work at heights and physical stamina needed

Civil Engineers

Median yearly salary: $88,050

Median hourly wage: $42.33

An idea can be brought to reality by the right person. And in the building industry, that person is usually a civil engineer. The job of a civil engineer is to plan, design, build, and supervise infrastructure projects. They’re the professionals who analyze the viability of a project. Their work ranges from risk analysis stages, preventing hazards, environmental factors, to so muchmore.

What you need:

• A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering for an entry level job
• A graduate degree and licensure is needed for promotion to senior positions
• No on-the job training 
• Leadership skills, math skills, decision making skills

Architects

Median yearly salary: $80,180

Median hourly wage: $38.55

The architects are those who begin spinning the wheels and constructing the ideas: architects plan and design structures. While a civil engineer has a field and office role, architects are primarily office-based, spending their time designing projects, developing strategies, meeting with clients, and consulting with engineers.

What you need:

• A bachelor’s degree in architecture 
• An internship or residency as on-the-job training
• A license and continuous education is a must
• Creativity, organizational skills, technical skills

Boilermakers

Median yearly salary: $64,290

Median hourly wage: $30.91

Boilermakers are those who assemble, install, and maintain boilers, vats, and other vessels for liquids and gasses. Their job is crucial for the construction industry, as many substances need the pressure and heat made through boilers and tanks. This is no easy job, though, and it requires on-location work and the assistance of machinery to do their work correctly and safely.

What you need:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• An apprenticeship to learn on-the-job
• A license by the National Center for Construction Education and Research
• Ability to work at heights and physical stamina needed

Construction and Building Inspectors

Median yearly salary: $61,640

Median hourly wage: $29.63

To keep everyone safe on a busy construction site, law and order must reign—and that’s the construction and building inspectors’ job. An inspector makes sure that a project meets building codes, zoning regulations, contract specifications, and workplace safety. This job requires some work experience in a related occupation or even a license or certification, but this varies state by state. 

What you need:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• 5 years or more previous work experience
• Some states might require a license
• Physical stamina and mechanical knowledge

 Are you ready for the challenge?

Overall, construction is a challenging and resilient industry for tough and resilient people. It offers opportunities for anyone willing to get the job done. For additional help with getting into this industry, speak to a gpac recruiter! 

Contributed by Ana Martinez