construction careers

CONSTRUCTION CAREERS

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY:

• CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

• HEAVY & CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION

• SPECIALTY TRADE CONTRACTORS

CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS:

• INCLUDES GENERAL CONTRACTORSWHO BUILD RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL &

OTHER BUILDINGS.

HEAVY & CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS:

• BUILD SEWERS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES, TUNNELS & OTHER PROJECTS

SPECIALTY TRADE CONTRACTORS:

• PERFORM SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CARPENTRY, PAINTING, PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL WORK.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE GOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR

EXPERIENCED, SKILLED CONSTRUCTION TRADES WORKERS

NOT ENOUGH NEW WORKERS ARE ENTERING CONSTRUCTION TO REPLACE RETIRING WORKERS

WORKERS IN CONSTRUCTION HAVE RELATIVELY

HIGH HOURLY EARNINGS

THE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE IN CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SYRACUSE AREA IS $957, WELL ABOVE

THE AREA’S AVERAGE WAGE OF $805

MOST CONSTRUCTION TRADES WORKERS’ JOBS REQUIRE

PROFICIENCY IN READING & MATH

ABOUT 68 % OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EMPLOY

FEWER THAN 5 PEOPLE

CONSTRUCTION HAS A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF SELF-EMPLOYED WORKERS

CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONS MOST LIKELY TO BE SELF-EMPLOYED:

• PAINTERS & PAPERHANGERS

• CARPET, FLOOR, & TILE INSTALLERS & FINISHERS

• CARPENTERS

• BRICKMASONS, BLOCKMASONS, & STONEMASONS

• CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS

CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, & STEAMFITTERS ARE

CONSTRUCTION JOBS EXPECTED TO HAVE THE MOST JOB OPENINGS

IN CENTRAL NY THIS DECADE

LARGEST CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONS IN NY STATE:

• CARPENTERS

• CONSTRUCTION LABORERS

• ELECTRICIANS

• PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, & STEAMFITTERS

• FIRST-LINE SUPERVISORS/MANAGERS OF CONSTRUCTION TRADES & EXTRACTION WORKERS

• CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS

HIGHEST PAYING CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPATIONS IN CENTRAL NY:

• ELECTRICIANS

• BRICKMASONS & BLOCKMASONS

• OPERATING ENGINEERS & OTHER CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

• SUPERVISORS OF CONSTRUCTION & EXTRACTION WORKERS

• PAVING, SURFACING, & TAMPING EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

HIGHEST PAYING CONSTRUCTION

OCCUPATIONS IN CENTRAL NY CONT…

• PIPELAYERS

• PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, & STEAMFITTERS

• STRUCTURAL IRON & STEEL WORKERS

• CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING INSPECTORS

• ELEVATOR INSTALLERS & REPAIRERS

• CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS

• REINFORCING IRON & REBAR WORKERS

GROWTH IN GREEN JOBSGROWTH IN GREEN JOBS

• Many of the green jobs that will be growing are in construction trades due to weatherization, retrofitting, new construction, and remediation.

• There will also be job growth in installation jobs (i.e. solar panels, energy-efficient windows).

• Demand for green building products.

Examples of Common Green Construction Related Jobs:Construction ManagersCost EstimatorsArchitects, Except Landscape and NavalCivil EngineersArchitectural and Civil DraftersCivil Engineering TechniciansFirst-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades & Extraction WorkersCarpentersCement Masons and Concrete FinishersConstruction LaborersOperating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators

Examples of Common GreenConstruction Related Jobs:ElectriciansInsulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersSheet Metal WorkersStructural Iron & Steel WorkersHelpers – CarpentersHelpers – ElectriciansHelpers – Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, & SteamfittersConstruction & Building InspectorsHazardous Materials Removal WorkersHeating, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration Mechanics & InstallersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, & Brazers

Examples of Common GreenConstruction Related Jobs:Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline OperatorsIndustrial Truck & Tractor Operators

Youth-RelatedCareer Information on the WEB

www.nycareerzone.org A career exploration tool

http://stats.bls.gov/k12/index.htmExploring career information – what interests you?

www.labor.ny.gov Youth Portal, labor laws for youth, career information, resources

USE CAREERZONE TO EXPLORE CONSTRUCTION JOBS ON-LINE (WWW.NYCAREERZONE.ORG)

New York State Department of LaborDivision of Research and Statistics

 Karen Knapik-Scalzo

Associate Economist  450 S. Salina Street Voice (315) 479-3391Syracuse, NY 13202 Fax (315) 479-3271E-Mail: karen.knapik-scalzo@labor.ny.govwww.labor.ny.gov

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