10 Best Paying Construction Jobs in 2024 [Updated]

Working in the construction industry comes with great benefits like having a job security, high economic demand, great career growth opportunities and more. And the best part of being in the construction industry is that it offers higher than average salaries. It has been found out that the construction industry is chock full of opportunities and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that there will be a 10% employment rise in this industry over the next 10 years. Similarly, this industry also offers strong benefits and pay, a low barrier to entry, engaging work environment, and more thereby making this sector very attractive to job seekers. So, let us now take a look at 10 best paying construction jobs. Below are the job titles and further details which are enough for a person to get an idea about the different construction jobs there are.

1. Construction Managers

Construction management is such a type of job that is not only considered to be one of the best careers in the industry but also listed as one of the best jobs in the country. This includes ensuring safety, design, and meeting deadlines. Construction managers have to coordinate all pieces of a construction project.

Responsibilities

Following are the key responsibilities of a construction manager.

• They have to obtain different work permit to oversee the entire project.
• Instead of focusing on just one aspect of a project, they are most likely be involved in everything from top-level site coordination to specific subcontracting projects which include plumbing and HVAC.

Average Pay

• Construction managers are supposed to make the highest salary in the industry as they have the most responsibilities. They are most likely to make an average salary of $93,370 a year or $44.89 per hour.

Education/skills Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is not always required to become a construction manager but the industry trends are evolving so fast that it has now become necessary for construction managers to have some sort of higher education. If you’re on the lookout for high-quality educational resources in the field, find leading civil engineering courses here.

In some states, having a Certified Construction Manger certificate is also necessary. And to earn one, you need to have a bachelor’s degree and over four years of work experience. Many reputable institutions offer a chance to pursue a construction management degree, so that is obviously the best choice for any aspiring construction manager.

Construction Managers Related Courses/ Specialization / Professional Certificate

Construction Management Specialization

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2. Elevator Installer

The continuous demand for maintenance and repairs has made this job even more attractive and many people have started to choose this as a career. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics has projected a 10% job growth over a period of ten years in this area. You might also be interested in Key Skills to Develop for Seasonal Jobs.

Responsibilities

The elevator technicians have a variety of responsibilities and the details are given below.

• They are required to install and repair elevators.
• It is their job to assemble, install, and maintain and replace elevators.
• With that, they are also required to take care of escalators, chairlifts, and moving walkways.

Average pay

• The average pay of an elevator installer is $79,780 per year.

Education/skills Requirements

If you wish to become an elevator technician then the following is the requirement.

• 4-year apprenticeship program and licensing in this area.

3. Electrician

Being an electrician gives you the right to be your own boss. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics states this to be one of the highest paying jobs for someone without a college degree. Being an electrician involves doing a variety if work which means that it can be both luxurious and exciting.

Responsibilities

Below are the responsibilities of an electrician:

• They have to install, maintain, and repair all types of things which are relevant to electricity and the power grid.

Average pay

• The average pay of an electrician has found out to be $55,190 a year.

Education/Skills Requirements

• To become an electrician you need to go to trade school.
• They must have a high school diploma.

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4. Plumber

Plumbing has always been a high-demand profession. In fact, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics stated that the demand for plumber is expected to rise by 14 percent in the upcoming years.

Responsibilities

A plumber’s job is much more than just fixing a leaky pipe under the sink.

• He has to install, maintain and repair any pipe or system that contains liquid or gas.
• Other duties are to inspect plumbing systems and troubleshooting issues.

Average pay

• The average salary that a plumber makes a year is $53,910. But the lowest 10% are supposed to make $32,100 a year.

Education/Skills Requirements

• A high school diploma and 4-5 years of apprenticeship or equivalent training is required.

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5. Sheet Metal Worker

A sheet metal worker is known to be the one who has to not only construct but also assemble different products that are made up of metal sheets. Thanks to the increased construction of structures in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, this work is projected to grow by 8% over 10 years.

Responsibilities

A sheet metal worker has a variety of responsibilities on shoulders.

• It involves the construction, assembly, and installation of the different products that are made up of sheet metal. The products include roofs and walls on commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.

Average Pay

• The average pay of a sheet metal worker is $48,460 which is equivalent to $23.30 per hour.

Education/Skills Requirements

To become a sheet metal worker, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree and can easily qualify for jobs if you have a high school diploma or equivalent and 4 years of apprenticeship.

6. Carpenter

A carpenter is the one who has the most versatile jobs in the construction industry. From cabinet installation to building construction, they have different skills to perform different tasks.

Responsibilities

A carpenter has a variety of responsibilities like,

• Installing a kitchen cabinet and constructing cement footing for a skyscraper an thus a carpenter is considered a jack of all trades kind of skill.

 Average Pay

• Being a carpenter, you can easily make $46,590 per year. But know that different specialization and industries will earn different salaries.

Education/Skills Requirements

You can become a carpenter through an apprenticeship or through on-job training.

• With that, all the carpenter must earn OSHA 10- and 30-hour safety training card in order to work in this field.

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7. Equipment Operator

An equipment operator is supposed to operate all types of heavy machinery. From aerial lifts to tower cranes, it is an equipment operator’s job to make sure the machinery is working fine. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics has projected a 9.6 percent growth in the equipment operator occupation between 2018 to 2028. This percentage is considered faster than the average rate of any other occupation.

Responsibilities

Being an equipment operator, you need to drive all different types of cranes and excavators. With that, you all need to operate steam rollers and other construction machines.

Average pay:

• According to the U.S news, a construction equipment operator is the one to earn highest paying job without even having a degree in hand.
• Similarly, the BLS report says that the median salary of a construction equipment operator is $46,990.

Education/skills requirements

• Many equipment operators learn to operate equipment on the job while others learn through an apprenticeship. With that, vocational schools also play part in providing the necessary training with the help of courses.

8. Mason

A mason is supposed to measure, cut, and install all types of things with stone and bricks. They have to work with concrete a lot as the need for building schools, hospitals, and other necessary buildings has increased.

Responsibilities

Masonry work includes a variety of responsibilities.

• Making pathways to entire support structures.
• Utilizing a variety of equipment from cranes to forklifts for moving materials and building structures, a mason has a variety of jobs to do.

Average Pay

• The average pay of a mason can be $44,810 depending on the type of the work he does.

Education/Skills Requirements

• In order to become a mason, training and education is a must.
• With that, you can enter this field after high school and can also go through an apprenticeship program that is offered by a technical school, college or through a union.
• In short, apprenticeships are preferred with a certification.

9. Solar installer

A solar installer or also known as solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is relatively a newer construction job that has been predicted to grow as climate change is to drive the switch to renewable energy.

The U.S. News has stated this to be second-best construction job. With that, it is considered to be the eight-best construction job without having the need to get a college degree. Similarly, it is in the top 100 jobs in the U.S and twenty-second highest paying job without a degree.

Responsibilities

If you are a solar installer then below are the responsibilities to consider.

• A solar installer has to assemble and install the entire solar panel.
• With that, a solar installer also has to maintain solar panels which are used for energy.

Average pay

• According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the solar installers tend to earn an average of $42,680 a year. With that, the top 10 percent of the solar installers have earned over $63,580 and the lowest 10% earned less than $30,180.

Education/Skills Eequirements

• To become a solar installer, there are a variety of ways but know that all the workers in this field need at least the equivalent of a high school diploma and one year of on the job training.

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10. Glazier

If your bathroom has a mirror or there is a safety glass on the top floor of a high-rise, then know that there definitely was a glazier involved. Glaziers are known to have an important position in the construction industry. It is because they specialize in measuring, cutting, handling, and installing any product in a construction site that is related to glass.

Responsibilities

Below are the responsibilities of a glazier.

• They have to install glass windows and other glass fixtures in the building.
• With that, they have to measure, cut, and install glass throughout the entire project and also ensuring everything is a perfect fit.
• Similarly, in a house, a glazier has to install windows, mirrors, and take care of other fixture with glass.

Average pay

• An average pay of a glazier is $43,550. With that, the lowest that a glazier can make is $26,910 a year.

Education/Skills Requirements

• To become a glazier, the most common way is to enter an apprenticeship program.

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are a variety of construction jobs available that pay off well. Thus, if you are interested in starting a career in this field then it is best to take a look at these 10 best paying construction jobs. So, read all about these 10 best paying construction jobs and don’t forget to stay safe, stay home, and never stop learning.