Overall, the construction industry has a projected growth rate of 19 percent until 2018. A construction job such as a plumber can expect a projected growth for their category of workers at 26 percent, while construction managers have a 26.1 percent growth rate for the same period, but cost estimators had the highest projection at 32.6 percent among all construction work-related jobs. Carpenters were at 15.2 percent while brick masons, block masons, and stone masons were at 14.3 percent.
A job in construction is also promising for first-line supervisors or managers of construction trades as well as extraction workers who have a collective projected growth rate of 22.7 percent until 2018. Office and administrative positions have 15.8 percent; bookkeepers, accountants, and auditors, 19.4 percent; general office clerks, 19.7 percent; executive secretaries and admin assistants, 17.5 percent; and management, financial, and business positions at 21.6 percent.
A construction occupation will have its growth prospects from full construction as well as repairs and rehabilitation projects of infrastructures such as housing, deteriorating buildings, roads, bridges, sports, recreation, and health facilities, utility systems, and others. Renovations or rehabilitations of existing old infrastructures are projected to increase modestly within the next ten years. The growing population will moderately increase the need for more housing constructions within the same period.
Construction employment will be higher within the same period for non-residential infrastructure projects such as industrial plants, medical treatment facilities, and schools. Schools construction will be higher in States with a growing population, while some States may pass off these projects until the economy recovers owing to the rising cost of construction materials and labor. But construction work is expected to consistently grow in States with a more stable economy.
A construction job for site engineers will also see a projected increase because of the bridges, streets, and highways which will need their expertise. Repairs and maintenance of similar existing infrastructures will also support the employment growth of this job in construction because of the continuing public support in most States leading to proper budget allocation. Power lines and other utility construction or rehabilitation work are also foreseen because of the increasing need for power consumption in more homes and non-residential facilities and buildings.
Some construction work needs the expertise of a few people who can lend their special skills on a particular project that may not necessarily be long-term. A specific construction occupation such as a pipe layer or a steam-fitter, for instance, will be called for a project where a brick mason or a painter is not needed. Often this happens when a contractor gets a small project that only needs five or less number of people.
Bigger construction projects are where large numbers of people are hired all at the same time and the contract is usually longer which makes earning more consistent for construction workers. Construction employment for people with specialized skills like a steam-fitter, a pipe layer, plumbers, pipe-fitters are seen to grow faster than the industry average. The same goes for the growth rate of equipment maintenance operators and first-line supervisors.
Managers in construction work will also be in demand because of the growing complexity of some projects which need their proper supervision and monitoring. They also have to deal with various laws and regulation that have to do with construction projects in a particular State. These laws commonly cover worker safety, environmental concerns, and building construction.
Overall, the prospects and opportunities are good for construction employment in most States. Administrative, financial, executive work positions are also seen to increase along with the demand of construction projects. Bigger projects are more likely to need these types of office-based construction workers and professionals.
One can try to find these jobs by communicating with contractors or first-line supervisors who may have or know of a project at hand. Another good option is to check out ConstructionCrossing.com, the online jobsite for construction jobs. They have thousands of job listings available for everyone. The site features options anyone which are very useful in making a job hunt faster and more convenient. So sign up now for a FREE one day trial and find your dream job!
