Construction is one of the largest industries in the United States, contributing over $1 trillion to the country’s economy each year. The construction industry offers many high-paying and in-demand jobs that don’t require a four-year college degree. This comprehensive guide will provide you with an overview of some of the highest paying construction jobs in America and the education, training and qualifications needed to pursue each career path. Whether you’re looking to start a new career or take your current role to the next level, construction offers many lucrative opportunities. Let’s explore some top options.
Heavy Equipment Operators
One of the highest paying construction jobs is being a heavy equipment operator. Equipment operators earn a median annual salary of $47,000 but experienced operators can earn over $80,000 per year. Heavy equipment includes bulldozers, excavators, loaders, cranes, graders and pavers.
To become an operator you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training provided by employers. Many operators start as helpers or laborers and work their way up. Formal postsecondary education is not required but some operators obtain certificates or associate’s degrees in heavy equipment operation, which can help advance your career. Certification is also available through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Experience operating various heavy machinery is essential.
Equipment operators generally work outdoors, which some people prefer over indoor work. However, the job does expose operators to noise, vibrations, harsh weather and potential safety hazards. Physical strength and stamina are important as this work can be physically demanding. Operators are in high demand nationally so relocating for work is common. With experience, operators can become supervisors or start their own contracting businesses. Overall, operating heavy equipment pays well for the educational requirements.
Construction Managers
One step up from heavy equipment operators are construction managers, who oversee entire construction projects from start to finish. Construction managers have a wider range of responsibilities and earn a very respectable median salary of $95,000 per year, with top earners making over $150,000 annually.
A bachelor’s degree in construction science, management or engineering is the typical minimum educational requirement to become a construction manager. Some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree. In addition to formal education, construction managers gain experience working as assistants, estimators or superintendents before assuming manager roles.
Strong communication, time management, problem-solving and leadership skills are must-haves for this position. Construction managers need to understand building codes and regulations, construction procedures, contract negotiations, budgeting and scheduling. Managerial software experience is also beneficial.
While construction managers do spend time on-site, much of the job is spent in an office environment managing paperwork and communicating with owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors and other teams. Managers oversee multiple projects simultaneously and deal with challenges like delays, budget overruns or safety issues. Overall workload can be intense during busy periods but the high pay makes up for the stress. With decades of experience, construction managers can eventually step into executive director or vice president roles at large companies.
Civil Engineers
For those interested in both construction and engineering, becoming a civil engineer is another top-paying option. Civil engineers design and oversee infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, dams, airports and more. They earn a median annual salary of $87,000 but top earners can reach over $150,000 per year depending on experience and employer.
A four-year bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is required to become a professional engineer (PE). The most direct path is attending an ABET-accredited civil engineering program. After graduating, most states require engineers to pass two exams – the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam taken during your senior year and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam taken after gaining four years of experience under a PE.
Civil engineers work in both office and field environments. In the office, they design structures using computer software and calculations for things like materials required, structural integrity and more. Field work involves on-site inspections, evaluating existing structures, and overseeing construction phases. Problem-solving, analytical and good communication skills are important attributes.
Career growth opportunities exist in specialized areas like transportation, geotechnical, structural or construction engineering. Expert civil engineers can eventually become principal engineers or open their own consulting firms. Overall, civil engineering marries technical and creative challenges with high salary potential.
Supervisors/Foremen/Superintendents
Rather than managerial or engineering roles, some construction professionals prefer hands-on work while still having leadership duties. Job titles like supervisor, foreman or superintendent allow you to oversee crews while focusing more on the technical aspects.
The typical educational background for these roles involves a high school diploma plus several years of experience in a skilled trade like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work or operating machinery. Formal construction-related education or certifications can help you advance more quickly to supervisory positions.
As a supervisor or foreman, your daily responsibilities involve coordinating workers, ensuring jobsite safety, scheduling tasks, ordering materials, addressing issues and inspecting work quality. Superintendents have broader responsibilities for entire projects or multiple concurrent jobsites.
Salaries range from $50,000 for crew supervisors to $80,000 or more for superintendents depending on location, company size and experience level. Many find the varied hands-on work, problem-solving challenges and leadership opportunities rewarding aspects of these intermediate roles. Advancement opportunities exist to become project managers or construction company executives down the road.
Welders, Pipefitters, Electricians
For those seeking high wages without a four-year commitment, skilled trades like welding, pipefitting and electrical work are great options within the construction industry.
Welders, for instance, earn a median annual salary of $42,000 but experienced welding inspectors or those working in specialty roles like underwater welding can earn $70,000 or more. Pipefitters earn a median of $52,000 while journeyman electricians can make over $56,000 annually on average.
All three trades require a combination of formal classroom instruction and on-the-job training apprenticeships lasting 3-5 years depending on the specific trade. Classroom instruction may take place at technical or community colleges and covers topics like blueprints, materials, safety procedures and hands-on skills practice.
Apprenticeships then allow you to gain paid work experience under the supervision of highly skilled journeymen, with wage increases at predetermined checkpoints. Completing apprenticeships leads to journeyman-level certification. Physical stamina is important for these hands-on construction roles.
As skilled trades, these careers don’t require a college degree yet pay very well thanks to strong industry demand. Many skilled tradespeople start their own contracting businesses later in their careers as well. Overall, if you enjoy technical manual work, skilled trades are a great construction path.
In summary, the construction industry has many well-paying job opportunities for those interested in technical, hands-on or leadership roles without a four-year degree. This guide outlined high salary options including operators, managers, engineers, supervisors and skilled trades. With the projected industry growth, now is an excellent time to pursue a construction career path. Start researching programs and apprenticeships to get your career off the ground.
