They build our roads, bridges and homes.
The construction industry is on the upswing after taking a hit during the recent recession. Now, the federal government expects a surge of job openings over the next few years for plumbers, carpenters and other workers in the field. Here are the jobs that received top marks based on factors like salary, expected growth and potential for work-life balance, according to the U.S. News 2017 Best Jobs Rankings.
13. Structural Iron and Steelworker
Median Salary: $50,490
Unemployment Rate: 9.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 2,700
Structural iron and steelworkers do dangerous work, building the great steel skeletons that support massive skyscrapers or bridges. The need for these workers is expected to increase as the country’s infrastructure continues to age. But those who are afraid of heights need not apply — steelworkers often must work high in the sky as they piece together iron or steel beams. To train for this profession, most workers serve as an apprentice.
Learn more about structural iron and steelworkers.
12. Construction Worker
Median Salary: $31,910
Unemployment Rate: 11.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 147,400
On the job site, construction workers do it all — unload equipment, dig ditches and even help with skilled work, like carpentry. Construction workers receive a lot of training on the job and often perform easier tasks, like clearing work sites, when they first start. As they progress in their career, these workers may opt to earn special certification in handling hazardous waste or work as an apprentice to acquire more specialized skills.
Learn more about construction workers.
11. Sheet Metal Worker
Median Salary: $45,750
Unemployment Rate: 7.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 9,400
On a hot day, there’s nothing like the cool relief of air conditioning. Sheet metal workers help make that possible. These tradesmen and women create and work with products made from thin metal sheets — including the ducts used in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Other sheet metal workers may install metal siding on buildings or work in industrial mills.
Learn more about sheet metal workers.
10. Insulation Contractor
Median Salary: $35,040
Unemployment Rate: 9.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 7,400
Well-installed insulation keeps the elements out, energy costs down and noise pollution at bay. These contractors are specially trained to determine what kind of insulation works best for different buildings. They might also insulate hot water pipes, which helps prevent burns. But this work isn’t for people who don’t like tight spaces — insulation workers might need to cram themselves into odd spots so they can properly insulate the space behind walls, in attics or under floors. These workers can earn certifications in areas such as asbestos removal and energy appraisals.
Learn more about insulation contractors.
9. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Median Salary: $37,830
Unemployment Rate: 11.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,400
Solar photovoltaic installers help homeowners and businesses harness the power of the sun and convert it into electricity. They plan and set up solar panel systems, and might also link the panels to the power grid. As the price of solar panels continues to drop — and more people become interested in alternative energy sources — the demand for people who can install these systems is expected to increase.
Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers.
8. Carpenter
Median Salary: $42,090
Unemployment Rate: 6.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 60,400
It’s much more than just hammering nails — carpentry requires a firm grasp of math and trigonometry to get the job done well. Using wood and other materials, these workers fashion the stairways and rafters of a house, install kitchen cabinets and drywall, build scaffolding, and even help construct large buildings.
Learn more about carpenters.
7. Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
Median Salary: $37,740
Unemployment Rate: 7.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 20,300
Level foundations, smooth sidewalks and strong walls are their purview. Concrete finishers know how to work fast as they shape the wet concrete used in roads, sidewalks and foundation slabs. Meanwhile, cement masons focus on finished concrete — building things like walls — and may tap into their design skills as they work.
Learn more about cement masons and concrete finishers.
6. Painter
Median Salary: $36,580
Unemployment Rate: 7.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 26,500
Sometimes, all a dreary room needs is a coat of paint to bring it to life. Painters perhaps know this better than anyone. Using rollers, power sprayers and brushes, these workers apply finishes to the outside and inside of buildings. You’ll often find painters working for building finishing contractors or in the residential building construction industry.
Learn more about painters.
5. Glazier
Median Salary: $39,440
Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,900
Love how the sunshine streams through your office window? You may have a glazier to thank. These tradesmen and women cut and install glass windows and other fixtures in homes, commercial buildings and even skyscrapers. Many serve as apprentices to learn the trade.
Learn more about glaziers.
4. Brickmason and Blockmason
Median Salary: $47,950
Unemployment Rate: 9.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,500
These tradesmen and women erect walls, patios and various interior fixtures using bricks and stone. To prepare for this career, brickmasons and blockmasons can enroll in a technical college and go through a yearslong apprentice program.
Learn more about brickmasons and blockmasons.
3. Plumber
Median Salary: $50,620
Unemployment Rate: 5.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 49,100
Plumbers make sure our water goes where it should — and doesn’t seep into where it shouldn’t. These tradesmen and women plan and put in pipe systems that bring water to our faucets, toilets and dishwashers, as well as install the fixtures and appliances themselves. They’re also the ones to call when something goes wrong with the plumbing.
Learn more about plumbers.
2. Electrician
Median Salary: $51,880
Unemployment Rate: 5.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 85,900
These tradesmen and women know how to keep the electricity humming and the lights on in a building. They have the skills to design lighting systems, install intercoms and ensure the wiring is up to code. Maintaining these complex systems can be dangerous, and many electricians receive the training they need at a technical school prior to apprenticing. In most states, electricians must have a license.
Learn more about electricians.
1. Construction Manager
Median Salary: $87,400
Unemployment Rate: 2.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 17,800
Finally, leading the whole crew on a site is the construction manager. This person oversees every piece of the construction project, working with building architects to go over plans, hiring contractors, handling permits and ensuring projects stay on schedule.
Learn more about construction managers.
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13 Great Construction Jobs for 2017 originally appeared on usnews.com
