How to Find High-Paying, Full-Time Overseas Construction Jobs

Whether you’ve been working in the construction industry for a while or are looking for a fresh start in a new field, you may have heard about the many full-time, high-paying work opportunities that exist in overseas construction today. Because many areas like the Middle East and New Zealand are experiencing population and economic growth at an increasing rate, they may require skilled workers from other countries if there aren’t enough local workers to get the new construction completed.

The educational background and qualifications required for high-paying overseas construction jobs can range from a high school diploma to certain types of apprentice programs, community school degrees, and technical certifications. Some upper-level construction administration jobs available overseas also require a college degree, and nearly all will require a physical.

This article will identify ways to find high-paying overseas construction jobs out of the United States. We’ll also highlight important factors to consider when actively hunting for these types of positions.

Finding a construction job overseas comes with many unique incentives. A person with construction experience can enjoy tax-free salaries in many countries, allowing for faster savings and the chance to get ahead on other financial goals.

Since room and board are provided in some recruiting programs that cater to overseas workers, the cost of living in your host country may also be significantly lower. A few programs even provide travel stipends to and from your destination.

Sometimes, the chance to live in a foreign country and enjoy a different culture can be enough of a motivating factor to look for an overseas construction job. Demonstrating the willingness and ability to adapt to a working environment in a new country also looks great on your resume. Showing that kind of flexibility — along with the new skills, work experience, and international relationships formed while working an overseas construction job — can make you more marketable overall.

Overseas construction jobs aren’t all the same, so it’s important to search for a job in which you feel comfortable. Some high-paying overseas construction jobs may take the form of construction safety and inspection rather than focusing on hands-on labor like others. Ultimately, the best overseas construction jobs will differ from person to person, based on a variety of factors, including career desires and general skill level.

Here are a few common overseas construction job descriptions you may find:

• Elevator installation and repair. With a 2019 median pay of $84,990 per year in the United States, this position is likely to pull equivalently large salaries in most countries requiring this kind of skill. Look for foreign cities building new hotels, apartment buildings, and other multi-story buildings to narrow your search for an elevator installation and repair position.
• Electrician. With a 2019 median pay of $56,180 per year in the United States, electricians are in demand at both residential and commercial construction sites. Having a journeyman certification in this field allows job seekers to command a higher salary.
• Construction equipment operator. With a 2019 median pay of $48,160 per year in the United States, knowing how to maneuver heavy machinery will get you far in your search for this type of overseas construction job.

Other areas of high interest to explore would be carpentry and sustainable design. The first is utilized in nearly any kind of build and the second is gaining in global popularity by the day. By answering just a few questions about where you want to go and what you want to do, Joblist can help curate a refined list of construction jobs that meet your unique criteria for what’s best.

As with all other types of work, much of finding your next high-paying overseas construction job is about who you know. Networking within the U.S. construction field is vital to finding lucrative openings in foreign countries.

Reach out to former classmates personally or through social media if you have certifications in any part of the construction field and keep in contact with previous construction management. You never know when a casual conversation with a construction project manager could turn into your name being thrown into the hat when high-paying overseas construction job offers come up for grabs. Here are a few more ways to ensure that you can find top salaries in overseas construction:

• Unions. Many branches of construction have unions that oversee and protect the interests of workers. For example, there are specific unions for electricians, plumbers, and linemen that cater to the needs of those types of professions. Reaching out to unions corresponding to your construction expertise is a smart way to get information and insight into opportunities overseas.

• Apprenticeship programs. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides valuable apprenticeship connections that can help workers looking for overseas construction jobs meet potential employers. Although most of these programs reside in the United States, many affiliated companies outsource to foreign recruiters. It’s always easier to get your foot in the door with an overseas job if you can come with a recommendation from a recognized program in the construction field.
• Online. Your next high-paying overseas construction job can be as close as a click away when you know how to leverage a platform like Joblist to your advantage. Even if you are an independent contractor, Joblist can help you find the right overseas fit. Joblist curates a list of daily openings that relate specifically to the information you’ve provided about where and how you want to work.

• Language barriers. Some foreign areas in need of construction workers may not speak English as their primary language. While many international companies employ translators, you may need to improve your foreign communication skills and navigate language barriers from time to time.
• Culture. Familiarizing yourself with cultural expectations relevant to your international work environment is recommended. Even though you’ll be considered an expat, you’ll want to learn everything from expected attire to acceptable public interactions.
• Proximity to family and friends. Some overseas construction jobs may allow or encourage you to bring your family. Others may only offer accommodations for one, thus making it necessary for you to spend long periods away from your loved ones. Your work visa in your host country will be directly connected to your ability to stay in the country. This means that you often cannot quit one job for another or go home whenever you’d like, so it’s important to establish how you will deal with the distance ahead of time.

Finally, it’s prudent to evaluate how recession-proof your overseas construction job may or may not be. Some of that will be determined by the economic stability of where you’re working and some of it may hinge on the company that employs you. It’s not uncommon for countries to require larger numbers of foreign workers when they are in growth phases and then taper that down once the building pace catches up with the population. This can make some high-paying overseas construction jobs temporary, which will require that you keep vigilant about where your next post may arise.

With the United States job market on a slow road to recovery, looking for a construction job close to home may not be an option. Whether you live in New York City, Baltimore, or Seattle, Joblist is available to assist with your active search for high-paying overseas construction jobs that meet your requirements — and your family’s needs.

We make the hunt for the right job easier by placing all of the best opportunities that meet your specifications into our specialized database. This means you are just looking in one place to find exactly what you need and you don’t have to waste time sifting through job postings that are not relevant to you. Taking our brief job search survey allows us to tailor matches directly to your resume and requests.

Don’t spend hours looking for the best job when you could use that time applying for the jobs that correspond to your years of experience or job expectations. Check out Joblist today and be on your way to the overseas construction job you want!