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Top Construction Careers

Construction Manager
Ranking 1

Median Salary $90,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Bachelors
Exploring the Dream Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from development to completion.
Living the Dream Many construction managers work from a main office, but most work out of a field office at the construction site, where they monitor the project and make daily decisions about construction activities. The need to meet deadlines and respond to emergencies
Reaching the Dream Large construction firms increasingly prefer candidates with both construction experience and a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field. However, some managers may qualify with a high school diploma and by working many years in a construction tr

Cost Estimator
Ranking 2

Median Salary $59,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Bachelors
Exploring the Dream Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service. They generally specialize in a particular industry or type of product.
Living the Dream Although cost estimators work mostly in offices, they often visit construction sites and factory floors. Some must work overtime to meet deadlines.
Reaching the Dream A bachelor’s degree is generally required for entering the occupation. A few highly experienced construction workers may qualify without a bachelor’s degree. A strong background in mathematics is essential.

Glazier
Ranking 3

Median Salary $38,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Glaziers install windows, skylights, and other glass products in storefronts and buildings.
Living the Dream As in many other construction trades, the work is physically demanding. Glaziers may experience cuts from tools and glass, and falls from ladders and scaffolding. Most work full time.
Reaching the Dream Glaziers typically enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn their trade through an apprenticeship.

Plumber
Ranking 4

Median Salary $49,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to and in businesses, homes, and factories.
Living the Dream Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in factories, homes, businesses, and other places where there are pipes or septic systems. They have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than the national average. Plumbers are often on call for emergencies
Reaching the Dream Although most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship, some start out by attending a technical school. Most states and localities require plumbers to be licensed.

Structural Iron and Steelworker
Ranking 5

Median Salary $46,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Structural iron and steel workers install iron or steel beams, girders, and columns to form buildings, bridges, and other structures. They are commonly referred to as ironworkers.
Living the Dream Ironworkers perform physically demanding and dangerous work, often working at great heights. As a result, workers must wear safety harnesses to reduce the risk of falling.
Reaching the Dream Although most structural iron and steel workers learn through an apprenticeship, some learn on the job. Certifications in welding and rigging can be helpful.

Painter
Ranking 6

Median Salary $39,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls, buildings, bridges, and other structures.
Living the Dream Painting requires a lot of climbing, bending, kneeling, and stretching. Most industrial painters work outside, almost always in dry, warm weather. Those who paint bridges or buildings may be exposed to extreme heights and uncomfortable positions.
Reaching the Dream Although most painters learn their trade on the job, some learn through an apprenticeship.

Sheet Metal Worker
Ranking 7

Median Salary $43,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used for heating and air conditioning.
Living the Dream Sheet metal workers often lift heavy materials and stand for long periods. Those who install sheet metal often must bend, climb, and squat, sometimes in awkward positions. Most work full time.
Reaching the Dream Although most sheet metal workers, particularly those in construction, learn their trade through an apprenticeship, those who work in manufacturing often learn on the job or at a technical college.

Carpenter
Ranking 8

Median Salary $40,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, and rafters—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.
Living the Dream Because carpenters are involved in many types of construction, from building highways and bridges to installing kitchen cabinets, they work both indoors and outdoors. The work is sometimes strenuous, and carpenters have a higher rate of injuries and illne
Reaching the Dream Although most carpenters learn their trade through an apprenticeship, some learn on the job, starting as a helper.

Electrician
Ranking 9

Median Salary $50,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Electricians install and maintain electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.
Living the Dream Electricians work indoors and outdoors, in nearly every type of facility. Almost all electricians work full time, which may include evenings and weekends. Although the work is not as dangerous as other construction occupations, potential injuries include
Reaching the Dream Although most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.

Construction Worker
Ranking 10

Median Salary $35,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Construction laborers and helpers perform many basic tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.
Living the Dream Most construction laborers and helpers work full time and do physically demanding work. Some work at great heights or outdoors in all weather conditions. Construction laborers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses.
Reaching the Dream Most construction laborers and helpers learn their trade through short-term on-the-job training. There are no specific education requirements.

Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
Ranking 11

Median Salary $39,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Cement masons pour, smooth, and finish concrete floors, sidewalks, roads, and curbs. Using a cement mixture, terrazzo workers create durable and decorative surfaces for floors and stairways.
Living the Dream Concrete and terrazzo work is fast paced and strenuous and often involves kneeling, bending, and reaching. Because many jobs are outdoors, work generally stops in wet weather. Most work full time.
Reaching the Dream Although most cement masons and terrazzo workers learn on the job, some learn their trade through an apprenticeship.

Brickmason and Blockmason
Ranking 12

Median Salary $46,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons (or, simply, masons) use bricks, concrete blocks, and natural and man-made stones to build fences, walkways, walls, and other structures.
Living the Dream The work is physically demanding because masons lift heavy materials and often must stand, kneel, and bend for long periods. They usually work outdoors, so poor weather conditions may reduce work activity. Most masons work full time.
Reaching the Dream Although most masons learn through an apprenticeship, some learn on the job. Others learn through 1- or 2-year mason programs at technical schools.

Insulation Contractor
Ranking 13

Median Salary $39,170 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements Diploma
Exploring the Dream Insulation workers install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings to help control and maintain the temperatures in buildings.
Living the Dream Insulation workers generally work indoors in residential and industrial settings. They spend most of their workday standing, bending, or kneeling, often in confined spaces. Small particles from insulation materials, especially when sprayed, can irritate t
Reaching the Dream Most floor, ceiling, and wall insulation workers learn their trade on the job. Most mechanical insulation workers complete an apprenticeship program.

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