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An internet presentation of the Occupational Outlook Handbook plus related career guidance information

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 | All Occupations

The section of the ocouha website contains the text of the 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook. This information is no longer being updated. For more recent information, start at the ocouha homepage www.ocouha.com.

Construction trades and related workers

  • Boilermakers
    • A formal apprenticeship is the best way to learn this trade.
    • Little or no employment growth is expected, but many openings will be created by the need to replace experienced workers who leave this occupation.
  • Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons
    • Job prospects are expected to be excellent.
    • Most entrants learn informally on the job, but apprenticeship programs provide the most thorough training.
    • The work is usually outdoors and involves lifting heavy materials and working on scaffolds.
    • More than 1out of 4 are self-employed.
  • Carpenters
    • About 30 percent of all carpenters — the largest construction trade in 2002 — were self-employed.
    • Job opportunities should be excellent.
    • Carpenters with all-round skills will have the best opportunities for steady work.
  • Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers
    • Forty-three percent of all carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers are self-employed, compared with 19 percent of all construction trades workers.
    • Most workers learn on the job.
    • Carpet installers, the largest specialty, should have the best job opportunities.
    • The employment of carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers is less sensitive to fluctuations in construction activity than that of other construction trades workers.
  • Cement masons, concrete finishers, segmental pavers, and terrazzo workers
    • Job opportunities are expected to be favorable.
    • Most learn on the job, either through formal 3-year or 4-year apprenticeship programs or by working as helpers.
    • Like many other construction trades, these workers may experience reduced earnings and layoffs during downturns in construction activity.
    • Cement masons often work overtime, with premium pay, because once concrete has been placed, the job must be completed.
  • Construction equipment operators
    • Many construction equipment operators acquire their skills on the job, but formal apprenticeship programs provide more comprehensive training.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be good, with as fast as average employment growth.
    • Hourly pay is relatively high but, because some construction equipment operators cannot work in inclement weather, total annual earnings may be reduced.
  • Construction laborers
    • Job opportunities should be good.
    • The work can be physically demanding and sometimes dangerous.
    • Most construction laborers learn through informal on-the-job training, but formal apprenticeship programs provide more thorough preparation.
    • Like many other construction occupations, employment opportunities are affected by the cyclical nature of the construction industry and can vary greatly by State and locality.
  • Construction and building inspectors
    • Almost half of all inspectors worked for local governments, primarily municipal or county building departments.
    • Opportunities should be best for experienced construction supervisors and craftworkers who have some college education, engineering or architectural training, or certification as construction inspectors or plan examiners.
    • Home inspection is becoming a standard practice in the home purchasing process, creating more opportunities for home inspectors.
  • Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers
    • Most workers learn the trade on the job, either by working as helpers or through a formal apprenticeship.
    • Job prospects are expected to be good.
    • Inclement weather seldom interrupts work, but workers may be idled when downturns in the economy slow new construction activity.
  • Electricians
    • Job opportunities are expected to be good.
    • Most electricians acquire their skills by completing an apprenticeship program lasting 3 to 5 years.
    • More than one-quarter of wage and salary electricians work in industries other than construction.
  • Elevator installers and repairers
    • Workers learn the trade through 4 years of on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be limited in this small occupation; prospects should be best for those with postsecondary education in electronics.
    • Elevator installers and repairers lose less worktime due to inclement weather than do other construction trades workers.
  • Glaziers
    • Many glaziers learn the trade by working as helpers to experienced glaziers; however, employers recommend a 3- to 4-year apprenticeship program.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be excellent.
  • Hazardous materials removal workers
    • Working conditions can be hazardous, and the use of protective clothing often is required.
    • Formal education beyond high school is not required, but a training program leading to a Federal license is mandatory.
    • Good job opportunities are expected.
  • Insulation workers
    • Workers must follow strict safety guidelines to protect themselves from the dangers of insulating irritants.
    • Most insulation workers learn their work informally on the job; others complete formal apprenticeship programs.
    • Job opportunities in the occupation are expected to be excellent.
  • Painters and paperhangers
    • Largely due to worker turnover, employment prospects should be good.
    • Most workers learn informally on the job as helpers; however, training authorities recommend completion of an apprenticeship program.
    • Two in five painters and paperhangers are self-employed, compared with one in five of all construction trades workers.
    • Working conditions can be hazardous.
  • Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
    • Job opportunities should be excellent because not enough people are seeking training.
    • Most workers learn the trade through 4 or 5 years of formal apprenticeship training.
    • Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make up one of the largest and highest paid construction occupations.
  • Plasterers and stucco masons
    • Plastering is physically demanding.
    • Plastering is learned on the job, either through a formal apprenticeship program or by working as a helper.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be good, particularly in the South and Southwest.
  • Roofers
    • Most roofers acquire their skills informally on the job; some roofers train through 3-year apprenticeship programs.
    • Jobs for roofers should be plentiful because the work is hot, strenuous, and dirty, resulting in higher job turnover than in most construction trades.
    • Demand for roofers is less susceptible to downturns in the economy than demand for other construction trades because most roofing work consists of repair and reroofing.
  • Sheet metal workers
    • Nearly two-thirds of the jobs are found in the construction industry; about one quarter are in manufacturing.
    • Apprenticeship programs lasting 4 or 5 years are considered the best training.
    • Job opportunities in construction should be good.
  • Structural and reinforcing iron and metal workers
    • Most employers recommend a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship.
    • During economic downturns, workers can experience high rates of unemployment.
    • The danger of injuries due to falls is high; those who work at great heights do not work during wet, icy, or extremely windy conditions.

See the Occupational Outlook Handbook in print.