Building a Career in Construction

Construction Careers

Those who want to work in construction have several occupations from which to choose. Among your options are electrician, carpenter, HVAC technician and project manager. Learn about each of these career choices and how they differ from one another.

Carpenter

Carpenters build, assemble, install and repair fixtures and structures that are usually made of wood. They also work with other building materials including drywall, fiberglass and plastic. Many people who want to work as carpenters do apprenticeships that some employers offer. Others work as helpers to experienced carpenters. Some enroll in formal training programs in vocational and technical schools. Median annual earnings for carpenters in 2008 were $38,940 and median hourly wages were $18.72.^*
Learn More About Becoming a Carpenter

Electrician

Electricians install wiring, fuses and other electrical components in homes, businesses and factories. They also maintain that wiring. Aspiring electricians receive training through apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. The median annual salary for electricians was $46,420 in 2008. The median hourly wage was $22.32.^*
Learn More About Becoming an Electrician

HVAC Technician

HVAC technicians install, maintain and repair heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Those who want to work as HVAC technicians either participate in an apprenticeship program or receive their training through classroom instruction at a trade or technical school. HVAC technicians earned a median annual salary of $39,680 and a median hourly wage of $19.08 in 2008.^*
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Construction Project Manager

Construction project managers, also called construction managers, oversee construction projects. They hire and supervise specialty trade contractors, such as carpenters, electricians and HVAC technicians, among others. Construction project managers usually work their way up after spending years working in specialty trades. Many employees prefer to hire prospective construction project managers who have bachelor's degrees in construction science, construction management, building science or civil engineering. Construction project managers earned a median annual salary of $79,860 and a median hourly wage of $38.39 in 2008.^*
Learn More About Becoming a Project Manager

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, "Carpenters," on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos202.htm, "Electricians," on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos206.htm, "Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers," on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm, "Construction Managers," on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos005.htm and Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2008, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oes/ (visited July 6, 2009).

Comparing Construction Careers
	Training	License	Median Salary
Carpenter	Apprenticeship, On-the-Job or Vocational/Technical School	None	$38,940/yr. or $18.72/hr.
Electrician	Apprenticeship	License required in most states and municipalities	$46,420/yr. or $22.32/hr.
HVAC Technician	Apprenticeship or Classroom Training	License required in some states and municipalities	$39,680/yr. or $19.08/hr.)
Construction Project Manager	Apprenticeship or Classroom Training	License required in some states and municipalities	$79,860/yr. or $38.39/hr.)