One of the fastest-growing industries in the United States is construction, according to the country’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The sector has a projected growth rate of 10 percent. What’s more, the BLS expects occupations in the construction sector to add approximately 704,000 new jobs between 2018 and 2028.
A career in the construction sector may be highly rewarding for hardworking individuals who flourish in fast-paced environments and enjoy working with teams who maintain, repair and build existing and new structures and buildings.
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When considering a career in construction, you’ll need to know what jobs are available in this particular industry and what each job can do. This way, you’ll know if a particular job or career path suits your preferences and goals.
Check out these nine construction jobs you can pursue:
1. Construction Laborer
This type of laborer is part of a crew that performs a wide range of functions on construction sites. The difficulty of the tasks ranges from relatively easy to potentially hazardous, including the preparation of job sites for new building projects. What’s more, construction laborers also maintain and operate machines and equipment, such as drills, saws, jackhammers and concrete mixers.
2. Pipefitter
Pipefitters don’t just work with stainless steel pipes sourced from suppliers. They also work with various kinds of piping systems by manipulating the metal into the perfect form or shape. These professionals use techniques to modify the metal, such as soldering, bending, cutting, rigging, grinding, welding and threading. A pipefitter is also responsible for transporting the piping systems and installing them correctly.
3. Crane Operator
This job involves using various types of crane machinery to move large or heavy materials from one location to another and to position the materials in low or high spaces. They work closely with other ground construction personnel who guide their work by using radios for voice commands and hand signals. Crane operators also conduct crane inspections along with their hydraulic systems before operating these complicated machines.
4. Painter
This job doesn’t entail creating works of art as an artist. Painters prepare surfaces in commercial and residential buildings that require paint. Then, they mix and apply the paint to the surface.
Prepping surfaces for paint involves taping off areas as needed, getting rid of cracked or chipped paint already on the surface, fixing holes and cleaning. Before painters get to work, they cover and protect objects, such as windows, electronics, lighting fixtures, furniture, flooring and doors near the painting area. When they finish painting, they remove the tape and clean the work area.
5. Carpenter
This individual repairs, remodels and fabricates frameworks and structures using wood and other materials. Carpenters typically cut and measure fiberglass, drywall and wood using a range of power and hand tools. They shape these materials for structural use.
6. Construction or Project Manager
This professional is in charge of overseeing, coordinating and planning all aspects of a construction project. The duties of a project or construction manager vary based on project size and whether they’re working alongside other managers.
Some responsibilities include the following:
- Supervising workers, so that the project remains within the budget, on schedule and compliant
- Communicating project progress updates to clients
- Coordinating daily activities for all workers
- Coming up with work schedules and project timelines
- Hiring and training all subcontractors and workers
7. Safety Manager
This job entails creating and implementing safety procedures, regulations and rules to cut down the risk of injuries or accidents happening on the construction site. They check the worksite every day to make sure that it’s safe to work in and enter. They also conduct routine safety audits, so that all equipment, materials and personnel comply with government safety regulations.
8. Cost Estimator
This professional is responsible for communicating project timelines and financial information to customers, estimating material and labor costs and surveying projects. Construction cost estimators typically have keen attention to detail and skills at assessing projects from a bird’s-eye view to accurately manage the expectations of clients.
9. Civil Engineer
If you like the concepts of construction but aren’t keen on working at a job site, civil engineering may be a career path you can explore. Individuals in this role spend a lot of time in the office or inside a trailer.
As a civil engineer, you will be responsible for designing and supervising the construction of the world’s infrastructure. This includes sewage systems, bridges, tunnels and roads.
The construction industry offers tons of opportunities for people at many stages in their careers. This sector may be for you if you want to gain valuable technical skills and be part of a diverse and active workforce.
