Best-Paying Jobs in Construction

In today’s competitive job market, skilled labor in construction is in high demand, and that demand is reflected in rising wages for top-tier roles. Whether you're an experienced tradesperson or just starting out, understanding which jobs pay the most can help you make smarter career decisions.

Let’s take a closer look at the most lucrative roles in the construction sector and what makes them stand out.

How To Start Working In Construction

Before we dig into the highest-paid construction workers, let’s look at average construction jobs.

Getting a job in construction with no experience is as simple as getting a job as an unskilled helper on a construction site and then proving your work ethic. Getting your foot in the door like this can be a good way to learn the business from the ground up and find out what kind of higher-paying specialty trades interest you.

Another way to get started is to contact a local labor union and ask about apprenticeship opportunities. Apprenticeships offer structured on-the-job learning during a paid four- or five-year program. Your salary will be lower as an apprentice, but once you’ve graduated from the program, you can make substantially more. The other benefit of going this route is that the union can advise you on the kinds of jobs that are in demand.

What Kind of Training Is Needed to Get A Construction Job?

It depends on your role. For lower-paid work, on-the-job training is the best way. Apprenticeships and/or vocational training (trade school) may be necessary for higher-paying roles, though finding an informal mentor willing to show you the ropes can take the place of more formal training in some cases. You’ll see that most jobs on our list require an apprenticeship.

Many higher-paying jobs require earning specialized certification through a professional organization or certifying body. In some cases, this is a legal requirement, while in other cases, reputable construction companies simply feel better hiring workers who have proven their skills and knowledge.

Finally, safety training is required for any role, whether it’s OSHA training for civilian jobs or EM 385-1-1 training for government contracts. Each worker has to be trained in the hazards and safety precautions relevant to the work they do, often with annual refresher training.

How Much Do Average Construction Workers Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), general construction laborers and helpers have a median pay of $46,050 a year (or $22.14 per hour).

How Can I Make As Much As Possible in Construction?

There are a few approaches you can take to maximize your earnings in construction, no matter what your role is. Consider:

• Choosing Employers Carefully: Some employers take better care of their workers than others. This can affect everything from pay to safety and working conditions.
• Gaining Specialized In-Demand Skills: To no one’s surprise, construction jobs that require specific knowledge, skills, and expertise pay better than roles you can simply walk into. Look for good opportunities to specialize or learn a skilled trade.
• Joining a Union: Unions give workers bargaining power to improve their pay and work conditions. There are often other membership benefits like exclusive access to better jobs, health insurance coverage, training opportunities, and more.
• Earning Valuable Certifications: Certain professional certifications like NFPA, CCO, or LEED can be attractive to higher-quality employers.
• Becoming a Supervisor: First-line supervisors are one of the top jobs on our list, as shown below. If you’re responsible and good with people, supervisory positions can be a way to make more money regardless of your area of expertise. To increase your value as a supervisor, consider learning Spanish and gaining safety officer certification.

Highest Paying Jobs For Construction Workers

Some lists of the highest-paid construction worker jobs get watered down with roles that are rapidly going extinct or with high-paying but high-education careers like engineers, architects, and construction managers.

We tried to gather a list of non-executive, non-college-requiring construction careers that pay well and are still growing. In other words, these are jobs that are very attainable in 2025. Each only requires the normal amount of training needed to get a construction job, like on-the-job training, vocational training, and specialized certification programs.

The good news is that this still leaves plenty of potential six-figure construction jobs. This data was collected from the BLS in April 2025.

#10: Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Median Pay: $58,800 a year (or $28.27 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $101,380 and up

Number of Jobs: 136,600

Job Outlook: average (3%)

Drywall and ceiling tile installers place panels over the walls and ceilings inside buildings to cover insulation, electrical wires, and pipes, dampen sound, and provide fire resistance.

You can become a drywall installer with on-the-job training. Apprenticeships are also available.

#9: Carpenters

Median Pay: $59,310 a year (or $28.51 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $98,370 and up

Number of Jobs: 923,100

Job Outlook: average (4%)

Carpenters construct and install building frameworks and structures, as well as fix damaged framework. This can range from erecting residential or commercial buildings to building rougher structures like concrete forms, scaffolds, and tunnel, bridge, or sewer supports. Wood flooring installers are a specialized type of carpenter.

Carpenters that work in the power industry make top dollar, but jobs are hard to come by. Working in entertainment, sports, or the arts also pays more than average. Of the most common carpentry jobs, you can make more money in finishing or non-residential building construction than residential building and rough construction.

There are many carpentry jobs. Apprenticeships are typically required.

#8: Sheet Metal Workers

Median Pay: $60,850 a year (or $29.26 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $102,680 and up

Number of Jobs: 124,200

Job Outlook: slower than average (2%)

Sheet metal workers fabricate and install heating and air conditioning ducts, rain gutters, outdoor signs, and siding. They work with thin sheets of steel, aluminum, or other alloyed metal. Those who work in non-residential building construction and building equipment make more than average.

Apprenticeships are often necessary for entry into sheet metal work.

#7: Ironworkers

Median Pay: $61,940 a year (or $29.78 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $95,530 and up

Number of Jobs: 88,100

Job Outlook: average (4% projected growth)

Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support bridges, roads, and other structures. Those working in building equipment or heavy/civil engineering construction make more than average. This includes those involved in the construction of highways, bridges, and rail structures.

Apprenticeship training is typical.

#6: Electricians

Median Pay: $62,350 a year (or $29.98 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $106,030 and up

Number of Jobs: 779,800

Job Outlook: much faster than average (11%)

Electricians install, maintain, and repair the electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in buildings. There’s a lot of work available for electricians. Lineworker electricians make top dollar, as do certified electricians in all industries.

Apprenticeship is necessary to enter the field. Working with electricity can be hazardous so safety precautions are critical.

#5: Pile Driver Operators

Median Pay: $63,550 a year (or $33.90 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $109,030 and up

Number of Jobs: 3,100

Job Outlook: higher than average (5%)

Pile driver operators run large machines to hammer piles (long, heavy beams of concrete, wood, or steel) into the ground. It’s a critical part of the construction process for retaining walls, bridges, piers, foundations, and other structures. Pile driver operators are also needed on offshore oil rigs.

It’s worth taking note of the fact that there are only a few thousand of these jobs in the U.S. It requires a lot of previous experience with heavy machinery operation. In some places, pile driver operation requires a crane license (see job #3 below).

#4: Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters

Median Pay: $62,970 a year (or $30.27 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $105,150 and up

Number of Jobs: 473,400

Job Outlook: faster than average (6%)

Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and other piping systems (as well as the related fixtures) in homes, businesses, and factories. There’s plenty of plumbing work to go around.

Fitters (pipefitters and steamfitters) have similar duties, but they work with pipes that may carry chemicals, acids, and gases within manufacturing, commercial, and industrial settings.

Many jurisdictions require professional licensing for plumbers and fitters. Due to these requirements, an apprenticeship is necessary training in most places for anything beyond handiwork.

#3: Crane and Tower Operators

Median Pay: $64,690 a year (or $31.10 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $98,820 and up

Number of Jobs: 42,260

Job Outlook: average (3%)

Crane operators use different types of cranes to move cargo, materials, and other heavy loads around a worksite. Most crane operators work on construction sites or in ports. The most lucrative crane jobs are in the aerospace and power industries.

Many crane and tower operators learn the trade by working their way up from lighter to heavier equipment, while others use an apprenticeship to get ahead. Either way, professional certification is required before you can operate crane equipment without heavy supervision.

#2: First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Median Pay: $76,760 a year (or $36.90 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $149,250 and up

Number of Jobs: 777,420

Job Outlook: faster than average (9%)

First-line supervisors on construction jobs directly oversee and coordinate the workers. This includes assigning duties, ensuring that work conforms to the official plans, verifying that safety regulations are being followed, and solving any problems that arise.

Construction supervisor jobs are in high demand. You get them by accumulating experience in the field, demonstrating competence, learning the big picture, paying attention to detail, and proving you have skill at managing people.

#1: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

Median Pay: $106,580 a year (or $51.25 an hour)

Pay of Highest 10%: $149,250 and up

Number of Jobs: 24,400

Job Outlook: faster than average (6%)

Elevator installers and mechanics are responsible for elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts. Some focus on installation while others focus on maintenance and repair. This type of work is most in demand and best paid in big cities.

Apprenticeship, licensing, and certification are typically mandatory.

Make Mandatory Construction Training Easy

No matter your role or income, the most essential type of training needed to get a construction job is safety training. Construction careers are some of the most dangerous jobs in the country.

Because of the risks, many jurisdictions require construction workers to earn a DOL card by completing OSHA 10 training (for most regular workers) or OSHA 30 training (for supervisors). New York City has its own special program called NYC SST.

Regardless of which type of training you need, we have you covered. We’ve been an OSHA-authorized training provider for more than two decades. Our OSHA 10 and 30 courses are online, self-paced, and available anywhere with an internet connection for your convenience.

Enroll today!