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Occupational Outlook Handbook | All Occupations

Construction trades and related workers

Quick Stats | Earnings Graph | Area and Industry Statistics | Fatalities | In the News
  • Boilermakers
    • A formal apprenticeship is the best way to learn this trade.
    • Average employment growth is expected; additional openings will be created because many boilermakers are expected to retire.
    • Persons with a welding certification or other welding training get priority in selection to apprenticeship programs.
  • Brickmasons, Blockmasons, and Stonemasons
    • Job prospects are expected to be very good.
    • 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.
    • Nearly 1 out of 3 are self-employed.
  • Carpenters
    • About one-third of all carpenters—the largest construction trade—were self-employed.
    • Job opportunities should be excellent for those with the most training and all-round skills.
    • To become a skilled carpenter usually takes between 3 and 4 years of both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
  • Carpet, Floor, and Tile Installers and Finishers
    • Around two-fifths of all carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers are self-employed.
    • Most workers learn on the job.
    • Tile installers and setters will see the fastest growth; carpet installers will have the most job openings.
    • 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 good due to a combination of job growth and a growing number of retirements.
    • Most learn the job though a combination of classroom and on-the-job training that can take 3 to 4 years.
    • 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 and Building Inspectors
    • About 45 percent of inspectors worked for local governments, primarily municipal or county building departments.
    • Many home inspectors are self-employed.
    • 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 has become a standard practice in the home-purchasing process, creating more opportunities for home inspectors.
  • 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 employment growing about as fast as the average for all occupations.
    • Hourly pay is relatively high, but some construction equipment operators cannot work in inclement weather, so total annual earnings may be reduced.
  • Construction Laborers
    • Job opportunities should be good.
    • With training and experience, construction laborers can move into other skilled craft occupations.
    • 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.
  • Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers
    • Most workers learn the trade on the job by starting as helpers to more experienced workers; additional classroom instruction may also be needed.
    • 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, especially for those with the right skills.
    • Most electricians acquire their skills by completing an apprenticeship program lasting 4 to 5 years.
    • Nearly three-fourths of electricians work for building contractors or are self-employed, but there also will be many job openings for electricians in other industries.
  • Elevator Installers and Repairers
    • Most workers belong to a union and enter the occupation through a 4-year apprenticeship program.
    • High pay and good benefits, together with expected slow job growth and few separations, should result in keen competition for the few job opportunities that arise in this small occupation; prospects should be best for those with postsecondary education in electronics.
    • Elevator installers and repairers are less affected by downturns in the economy and inclement weather than other construction trades workers.
  • Glaziers
    • Many glaziers learn the trade by working as helpers to experienced glaziers.
    • Job opportunities are expected to be good.
  • 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.
    • Excellent job opportunities are expected.
  • Insulation Workers
    • Workers must follow strict safety guidelines to protect themselves from 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
    • Employment prospects should be excellent due to the expected job growth, coupled with the large numbers of workers who retire or leave the occupation for other jobs.
    • Most workers learn informally on the job as helpers, but training experts recommend completion of an apprenticeship program.
    • Nearly one-half of all painters and paperhangers are self employed.
  • Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
    • Job opportunities should be excellent because not enough people are seeking 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 openings for roofers should be plentiful because the work is hot, strenuous, and dirty, causing many individuals to leave for jobs in other 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
    • Earnings of structural iron and steel workers are among the highest of all construction trades.
    • Most employers recommend completion of a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship.
    • Workers need to be in good physical condition and not have a fear of heights.

Quick Stats

Construction and related workers, all other

source: Employment Matrix; about this section

Earnings Graph

National Average and Percentile Annual Earnings, May 2005

Metropolitan area and State estimates.

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about this section

Area and Industry Statistics

May 2005 Mean Annual Earnings and Employment, wage and salary workers

Construction and related workers, all other
— National
U.S.: $32,230
— by State
AL: $22,990
AK: $45,010
AZ: $30,160
AR: $26,660
CA: $34,000
CO: $32,580
CT: $35,040
DE: $30,030
FL: $30,160
GA: $31,680
HI: $23,470
ID: $30,180
IL: $35,400
IN: $37,470
IA: $26,940
KS: $25,410
KY: $25,330
LA: $28,930
ME: $26,990
MD: $32,170
MA: $40,240
MI: n.a.
MN: $44,490
MS: $21,910
MO: $25,150
MT: $37,600
NE: $27,980
NV: $36,590
NH: $33,600
NJ: $33,930
NM: $37,810
NY: $34,710
NC: $29,940
ND: $28,540
OH: $34,620
OK: $28,720
OR: $34,710
PA: $35,260
RI: $34,220
SC: $28,350
TN: $30,000
TX: $26,370
UT: $24,040
VA: $31,810
WA: $32,130
WI: $29,270
WY: $26,220
PR: $21,610
— by NAICS Industry Sector
21 $37,490
22 $48,370
23 $32,930
31-33 $34,580
42 $31,800
44-45 $30,310
48-49 $37,000
51 $39,600
52 $41,350
53 $34,590
54 $32,750
55 $45,730
56 $30,780
61 $33,320
62 $36,640
71 $32,560
72 $27,910
81 $32,400
92 $31,030
Also see State and Metropolitan Area and industry estimates of employment and percentile earnings for construction and related workers, all other.

Width of bars indicates mean annual wages; color of bars indicates employment.

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about this section

Fatalities

2004 Fatal occupational injuries by occupation and event or exposure

OccupationFatalities: Event or exposure
TotalTran.Viol.Cont.FallsExpo.Fires
Construction trades workers 870 165 27 182 355 121 20
Other construction and related workers 45 24 5 8 7--
Construction and related workers, all other 6 3-----

source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Program; about this section

In the News

Recent posts from the Construction Trades and Related Workers archive of the ocouha weblog:

 

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