Features

Top 15 Highest Paying Construction Jobs

Most construction jobs do not require a university degree.

Updated on

May 18, 2022

Most construction jobs require a high school diploma. PHOTO | FILE

Thanks to the rising demand for construction workers around the world, young people are increasingly taking an interest in careers in the construction industry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 median annual salary for construction workers was $48,210 – 5.3% higher than the median wage for all occupations.

The highest-paying construction jobs came with salaries over $60,000 per year.

What are the highest-paying construction jobs?

Highest-Paying Construction Jobs

1. Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer

Median Salary: $97,860

Education: High school diploma

Unknown to many people, elevator, and escalator installer and repairer is one of the high-paying construction jobs with an annual median salary of $97,860.

This job involves the installation, maintenance, and repair of elevators, escalators, chairlifts, moving walkways, and all other similar types of lifts.

Like other types of highest-paying construction jobs, this career requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Individuals wishing to pursue this profession can most likely take up a traineeship to obtain the requisite skills.

2. Boilermaker

Median Salary: $64,290

Education: High school diploma

Boilermakers typically install, maintain, and repair boilers, tanks, closed vats, and other large vessels that are used in factories or buildings to hold liquid and gases.

Other duties of boilermakers include checking boiler systems for leakages and defects, cleaning vats, and replacing or repairing broken valves, pipes, or joints.

3. Construction and Building Inspector

Median Salary: $61,640

Education: High school diploma

With a median salary of $61,640, construction and building inspector ranks third in the list of highest paying construction jobs.

Construction and building inspectors examine structures to ensure they comply with the set building codes, zoning regulations, as well as contract specifications.

They also review electrical systems; ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating; and plumbing systems to ensure the safety compliance of these systems.

Inspections are usually done several times during the stages of construction.

4. Electrician

Median Salary: $ 60,040

Education: High school diploma

As one of the high-paying construction jobs, this career involves fitting, upkeep, and repair of electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.

Owing to the risks that come with this job, electricians are required to acquire some specialized training – which can be obtained through formal apprenticeships.

5. Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter

Median Salary: $59,880

Education: High school diploma

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are some of the most sought-after construction workers as their job entails solving issues that are often encountered in homes.

These workers typically install and repair piping fixtures and systems. They also test pressure to ensure a pipe system is airtight and watertight to avoid leakages.

This job does not require specialized training, although most plumbers and pipefitters go through traineeship before starting the job.

6. Ironworker

Median Salary: $57,160

Education: High school diploma

Ironwork involves the installation of structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support structures such as buildings, roads, bridges, etc.

It is one of the highest-paying construction jobs with a median salary of $57,160.

Ironwork is a potentially dangerous job, and ironworkers are required to undergo training and apprenticeship to obtain skills that will enhance their safety at work.

7. Sheet Metal Worker

Median Salary: $53,440

Education: High school diploma

Sheet metal work involves the fabrication or installation of products made from metal sheets.

With a median salary of $53,440 a year, sheet metal work ranks among the high-paying construction jobs. Indeed, the job is well paying especially when you consider that it requires only a high school certificate.

Most sheet metal workers undergo some formal internship to enhance their safety skills (the risk of falls is quite high), although handfuls are trained on the job.

8. Drywall Installer, Ceiling Tile Installer, and Taper

Median Salary: $48,350

Education: No formal educational credential

Drywall installers and ceiling tile installers are highly sought-after workers whose typical job is to dangle wallboard and mount ceiling tile inside buildings.

Tapers prepare the wallboard for painting, using tape and other masking materials, while drywall installers and ceiling tile installers do the actual placement of panels over the walls and ceilings of buildings.

9. Equipment Operator

Median Salary: $48,290

Education: High school diploma

In recent times, equipment operator work has become one of the most popular jobs in construction. This role entails operating heavy construction machines such as excavators, graders, rollers, asphalt pavers, etc.

Construction equipment operators earn a median salary of $48,290 a year. They are required to undergo some formal training to obtain the required licenses.

10. Carpenter

Median Salary: $48,260

Education: High school diploma

Carpenters construct and fit wooden frameworks and structures in buildings. These structures could be rafters, stairways, bridge supports, or doorframes.

Most carpenters undergo formal apprenticeship to obtain the skills.

11. Masonry Worker

Median Salary: $48,040

Education: High school diploma

Taking up a job as a masonry worker will guarantee you a median salary of $48,040 a year. These artisans use bricks and stone blocks to build and polish commercial and residential walls as well as patios and interiors.

This job does not require specialized training, although most artisans undergo some traineeship before starting the job.

12. Solar Photovoltaic Installer

Median Salary: $47,670

Education: High school diploma

Also known as PV installers, solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up and maintain systems that convert sunlight into electricity.

These professionals are currently in high demand as more people embrace the usage of solar to save on high power bills while reducing carbon footprints.

13. Flooring Installer and Tile and Stone Setter

Median Salary: $47,310

Education: No formal educational credential

At a median pay of $47,310, this position tops the list of highest-paying construction jobs that do not require any formal education credentials.

Flooring installers and tile and stone setters typically lay and finish various types of flooring materials such as wood, vinyl, ceramic tiles, marble, granite, etc.

Although most of these workers install materials on floors, they may also work on countertops, ceilings, walls, and showers.

14. Roofer

Median Salary: $47,110

Education: No formal educational credential

Roofers install, maintain, and replace roofs of buildings.

These construction workers are always in high demand since roofing leakages are usually a major problem for many households around the world.

15. Glazier

Median Salary: $47,180

Education: High school diploma

Glaziers are skilled artisans who cut and fix glass in all types of buildings, from homes to commercial skyscrapers. They make a median salary of $47,180 a year.

Although this job does not require a degree, employers often seek individuals with a good understanding of mathematics or design as well as those who can operate modern construction equipment.