Careers in Construction

Discover Where You Belong

The construction industry offers a number of opportunities for employment right after high school or college graduation at a competitive pay. Most of the time you just need a trade specific certificate or a technical school degree in order to jump into the construction workforce. Some construction organizations will allow you to complete trade school while actively using what you are learning in the field while also earning a paycheck. GoBuildTennessee, BuildYourFuture, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provide us with an excessive number of careers in the construction industry, the requirements for each career, and the national average salary. Before you think you are out of options, consider joining the construction industry!

Top Construction Careers Requiring Technical School or Community College

Craft Laborer: generalized professionals who assist in a variety of different tasks on a construction site.

  • $34,191 - $72,621 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Electrician: Installs and maintains the electrical and power systems in new and existing structures.

  • $29,629 - $112,931 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

HVACR Technician: Installs and maintains the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that maintain temperature and air quality in buildings.

  • $34,242 - $61,472 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Mason: Uses bricks, blocks and stones to construct walls, structural supports and even decorative surfaces.

  • $27,906 - $76,913 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Plumber: Installs and maintains the pipes and valves that make up a building’s water and drainage systems.

  • $29,394 - $97,043 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Superintendent: Oversees every step of the construction process, from planning to completion.

  • $46,465 - $138,254 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Surveyor: Measure and collect data like elevation and dimensions of a construction site that are critical to the development of the project.

  • $56,289 - $106,891 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Project Assistant: Aid the project manager in carrying out project duties.

  • $42,418 - $66,632 annual pay

  • Technical School or Community College

Top Construction Careers Requiring a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Architect: Designing new buildings and creating the plans used to construct them.

  • $66,746 - $107,894 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Civil Engineer: Designing and supervising the construction of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects.

  • $50,592 - $117,406 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Project Manager: Construction site leaders who plan, coordinate, budget and supervise building projects from development to completion.

  • $47,767 - $145,766 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Estimator: Collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor that is required to complete a project.

  • $48,220 - $116,259 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Controller or CFO: Overseeing budgets and forming financial strategies to carry out organization’s needs.

  • $72,687 - $145,972 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Marketing Manager: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, identify potential customers, develop sales goals and strategies, and oversee product development and monitoring trends.

  • $48,298 - $103,617 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Human Resources Manager: Plan, direct, and coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

  • $53,627 - $113,607 annual pay

  • Bachelor’s Degree