With the construction labor shortage still posing a problem within the industry, jobs continue to be on the rise alongside growing salaries. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment increased by 279,000 jobs in 2019. Below are a few of the top ranking construction jobs for 2020.
Construction Project Manager: Construction project managers budget, coordinate, overlook, and plan construction projects from start to finish. According to an article in GroundBreak: Carolinas, construction managers learn most management techniques through on-the-job training. In 2018, the median salary pay was $93,370, according to the article.
Civil engineer: Civil engineers build, design, and supervise infrastructure projects like bridges, roads, and tunnels. These individuals split their time between locations so they can monitor operations and solve on-site issues. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from now until 2026, civil engineering is expected to grow by 11 percent.
Technician: Construction technicians engage heavily in planning and design using CAD software to draw up project plans. Technicians also do inspection testing, checking for faults in machinery, and testing newly installed systems. With experience, technicians could progress to site management or engineering design.
Equipment operators: The bureau of labor statistics report that construction equipment operators are expected to grow 10 percent from 2018 to 2028. According to GBC, the increase in operator needs directly correlates with the vast increase in infrastructure.
Ironworker: According to Groundbreak: Carolinas, ironworking jobs have been set to grow into 2028. While most of their work involves new structures, they also take part in demolition, decommissioning, and rehabilitating older buildings. Ironworkers typically complete an apprenticeship of 3-4 years, and are certified in welding or a similar trade.
Source: AGC, National Careers Service, & GroundBreak: Carolinas
