How to Find the Highest-Paying Construction Jobs in Your City

Construction can make for an incredibly fulfilling career. You get to work with your hands, spend time outdoors being physically active, and also get the satisfaction of contributing to the creation of structures that will be standing for decades, if not centuries! Whether you're building a skyscraper or a bridge, seeing a project materialize before your eyes is rewarding.

If you're thinking of entering the construction field, now is a great time. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average growth in this particular sector. The median annual full-time wage for construction workers is $45,820 — more than the national average median full-time wage of $37,690 for all industries.

Some construction jobs pay well above this median range. This guide explains how you can find the highest-paying construction jobs in your city.

One of the great things about construction is that you can enter the field with little to no experience If you start in a part-time or full-time entry-level role in general labor, the requirements are minimal. Most employers ask you to at least have a high school diploma or GED to be a construction laborer. Basic reading, writing, and math skills are useful to ensure you can understand safety signage.

More advanced educational credentials and additional on-the-job experience will help you qualify for higher-paying full-time job types, which we’ll dive deeper into later on. If you’re simply looking to get a start and want to see how you like working in the field, however, you should be able to get a gig with just a few simple qualifications.

There are also some personal qualities that will help you succeed in a construction career, whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned professional with several years’ experience.

These include the following traits:

• Physical fitness. Construction is a physically demanding job. You must be able to spend long periods of time standing or walking, and you need the strength to lift, push, and pull heavy loads. While some senior-level jobs involve more desk work and are less physically demanding, they still require you to spend time on your feet at construction sites.
• Teamwork. Construction workers need to be able to communicate and work well in a team. This is especially true when dealing with possibly dangerous scenarios, including moving heavy loads.
• Reliability. Construction work is usually done in shifts. In some cases, shifts may be scheduled on evenings or weekends — for example, when working on a roadway that can’t be clogged during rush hour. It’s important to be punctual and show up to scheduled shifts on time so the construction team isn’t left shorthanded.
• Safety conscious. Construction worksites can be dangerous. Heavy equipment, chemicals, and heights all pose potential risks. Employers want to be sure their workers are safety conscious and responsible so they can better avoid accidents.

An entry-level gig in the construction industry as a laborer or helper will earn you a median salary of $36,000 per year, according to the BLS. That said, there are many higher-paying construction jobs you can acquire with some added experience and training. Read on for an overview of the highest-paying construction jobs.

Construction managers are project managers in charge of planning, coordinating, and supervising construction superintendents, subcontractors, and the projects themselves. As part of construction management, they also oversee the work from start to end. In addition to construction experience, most construction project managers have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, like engineering. As of May 2019, the median annual salary for construction management was $95,260.

Elevator installers and repairers are responsible for maintaining elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other styles of mobility lifts. You need at least a high school diploma to do this job, as well as skills training from an apprenticeship or vocational school. A professional license is also advisable. Elevator installers and repairers can earn as much as $84,990, which was the median annual wage as of 2019.

Boilermakers assemble, maintain, and repair boilers. These large vats hold liquids and gases that are potentially flammable or explosive. A boilermaker must have at least a high school diploma and vocational training. The median pay for a boilermaker in 2019 was $63,100.

Construction and building inspectors survey new construction to make sure they meet building codes and zoning regulations, as well as contract specifications. This job requires at least a high school diploma, plus on-the-job experience. Most states also require a license or certification. As of May 2019, the median annual salary for construction and building inspectors was $60,710.

Electricians have the task of installing and repairing all electrical power, lighting, and control systems on a construction site. You need at least a high school diploma to work as an electrician and additional skills are typically acquired through a trade school. In 2019, the median annual wage for an electrician was $56,180.

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are responsible for installing and repairing pipe fixtures and systems. You can get the necessary training via a vocational school or apprenticeship. The median annual pay for this role was $55,160 as of 2019.

Many structures include iron and steel in their frames for added strength, support, and durability. Ironworkers install these structural reinforcements in buildings, roads, and bridges. You need at least a high school diploma plus vocational training for this job. The average median salary for ironworkers in 2019 was $53,650.

Preparation is essential if you want to find the highest-paying construction jobs in your city. Draft your resume in advance, highlighting relevant education and job experience. If you’ve already worked in the field, lining up references from previous employers is useful. Alternatively, if you’re just getting started, personal references from employers in other fields — such as the service industry — can serve as a testament to important traits like reliability.

With your application materials ready, you can start looking for lucrative home-building or commercial construction gigs. There are a few different ways you can find jobs in your area, including the options listed below.

Community colleges, vocational schools, and trade schools teach students practical skills. If you want to pursue a career as a general contractor, plumber, construction estimator, equipment operator, or electrician, you would probably complete part of your training through such a program. Trade schools are a great resource for apprenticeships, internships, or similar learning-on-the-job programs. Some schools even have online job platforms specifically reserved for their students, where you can find higher-paying, more advanced job titles.

Use a search engine to find local construction companies in your area and visit their homepages. Most will likely have a careers section on their website where you can look for opportunities. Even if you don’t see a position that fits your profile, consider sending your resume to their HR department. You never know when something might open up. If they already have your resume on file, they may give you a call to save themselves the hassle of searching for new workers.

Sometimes, old-fashioned door-knocking is the best way to get a job alert. If you know of job sites in your area, stop by with your resume in hand and ask to talk to a site manager. Keep it short and sweet to avoid taking up their time. Simply explain that you’re a job seeker and leave your resume. If they’re staffing and interested, they’ll call you. Your proactive approach may even help get you the gig. Make sure your resume has your contact information — this guide explains how to create a resume with zero experience.

Online search engines allow you to find construction jobs in your area without having to leave the comfort of your home. Internet platforms are convenient because they include search filters. In addition to searching by keyword, like project management, you can also search by salary range or location. This allows you to easily narrow down the options, making for a more efficient job hunt.

Joblist can help you find the highest-paying construction jobs in your city. Our platform also provides useful resources to support your search for the perfect job description, such as how to find a recession-proof job and how to ace a video interview.

Start your construction job search with Joblist today.