Fastest growing careers in the construction industry: jobs outlook
June 29, 2020
The construction industry employment rate has been trending upward for ten years. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the number of construction jobs is expected to increase from 7.2 million in 2018 to 7.5 million by 2026.
According to Investopedia, “Seven of the top 10 fastest-growing industries in the country are related to construction.” These industries include services to buildings and dwellings, building finishing contractors, residential building construction, and non-residential building construction.
The construction industry is typically divided into three subsectors: specialty trade contractors, construction of buildings, and heavy and civil engineering construction. Growth is expected in all three of these subsectors, when looking at projections through 2026, reports the BLS.
The subsector with the highest estimated growth is heavy and civil engineering construction, with an estimated 39% growth. Equipment operators, heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers, and electrical power line installers and repairers top the list of positions with the highest expected growth.
With an estimated growth of 20%, positions in the specialty trade contractors subsector with the most expected growth include electricians, plumbers, and HVAC and refrigeration mechanics.
Construction of buildings has an estimated 14% growth, with carpenters, construction laborers, and construction managers showing the highest projected employment rates.
Construction managers come in first across all three subsectors with the highest median wage of $90,380. Construction manager jobs are growing at a faster than average rate, with twice the projected growth compared to all occupations, projected from 2018 through 2028. While included as part of the construction of buildings subset, construction managers may be employed as part of all three subsectors.
Technology also plays a key role in contributing to construction industry job growth. In the 2019 Construction Technology Report, by JBKnowledge, 92.8% of respondents said that they use SmartPhones for their jobs. The most frequently used apps focus on daily reporting, photo/video, time management, and safety management. The use of safety apps increased by 4% in 2019.
The use of technology in construction means that those entering the workforce need to have a solid understanding of how apps, drones, and other innovative technologies contribute to the field, regardless of the specific position they are filling.
Students studying construction management at Capitol Tech are well positioned to support all of the growing sectors in the construction industry. Courses of study include construction safety, construction management and critical infrastructure, construction information technology and cybersecurity, facilities management and critical infrastructure, and occupational safety and health.
Capitol Tech offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees focused on Construction, Facilities, and Safety, available both in person and online. Our BS in Construction Management and Critical Infrastructure online program helps bring a unique skill set to young working professionals role in construction – one that with every passing day demands that they be tech savvy. To learn more about Capitol Tech’s degree programs, contact admissions@captech.edu.