According to the Associated General Contractors of America, the construction industry employs nearly 8 million people who create nearly $2.1 trillion in structures each year.
With the immensity of the construction industry, there are jobs that fit almost any personality and skill. In addition to the hands-on work to build hospitals, schools, manufacturing facilities and more, there are many people who work in a variety of settings.
Let’s look at five groups of jobs and careers in construction – some that come to mind immediately and some that aren’t always readily thought of when considering the field.
A lack of experience will not prohibit the pursuit of construction jobs since there are multiple entry level positions that often provide training on the job and do not require a post-secondary degree.
Positions in concrete, landscaping, flooring, roofing and painting usually have entry level positions, and many jobsites require general laborers or helpers.
Any technology that is used in the construction industry needs a professional to monitor and maintain it.
IT, short for information technology, includes professionals who implement, maintain, improve, service and troubleshoot computers and computer systems, networks, applications and software. They may work with servers, custom software or systems, Wi-Fi equipment and networks, printer networks, conference room software and technology or any other technology system used by the company.
According to BLS, IT occupations are projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2032.
The HR, or human resources, team plays an integral role in any construction operation.
It is imperative to recruit and hire the right people to build a workforce that has the right skills, experience and cultural fit to match the needs of the work to be done. It can be costly to hire employees who aren’t a good match.
Besides recruiting and hiring, other HR areas can include employee onboarding, training, benefits, payroll, employee development, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), corporate social responsibility (CSR), community affairs and culture building. There are also regulatory and reporting tasks, creating the need for analysts and staff to fulfill those requirements.
Business development professionals help construction companies grow by finding new projects and clients, building relationships with key stakeholders, staying on top of industry trends, having insight about consumers and competition, and marketing the business.
They research certain geographical areas to find potential clients and opportunities. Marketing jobs include promoting the business through multiple channels in order to increase awareness or leads.
Some companies may hire analysts to glean pertinent insight from data. It’s also important to be active in the industry through organizations and groups – another excellent way to nurture relationships and find leads. Business development professionals may be involved in preparing bids and proposal responses for new projects or jobs.
Skilled trades include all of the workers you can envision on a construction site, such as electricians, carpenters, masons, equipment operators, plumbers and painters.
It also includes workers who may not work full time at the jobsite, such as architects and engineers.
Many people working in skilled trades earn far more than the U.S. median income, according to BLS, and a report from Thumbtack indicates that 87% of skilled workers are happy with their job and would choose the same career again.
Here’s a skilled trade job that maybe wouldn’t immediately spring to mind: glazier. According to BLS, glaziers specialize in installing different glass products. This could include needs for industrial settings such as insulated, tinted and/or tempered glass or applications in residential settings such as windows, mirrors, skylights, shower and tub walls and doors. This field is growing as fast as average for all occupations through 2032.
There are many in-demand construction jobs that can provide a great way to build a career. With multiple areas of expertise needed and many levels of advancement, it’s an industry that develops workers and offers many high paying jobs.
When considering the perks that often come with construction jobs at reputable companies, such as paid time off, health and other benefits, retirement plans and more, it’s certainly worth pursuing a career in construction.