Highest Paying Construction Jobs

• Construction jobs should remain readily available. construction image by Pali A from Fotolia.com

  Several high-paying careers exist in the construction industry. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs in the construction industry will increase by 19 percent by 2018. With several lucrative job options available and plenty of new jobs being created, you may wish to consider a career in construction. If you're not handy with a hammer, administrative jobs are available.

Construction Managers and Supervisors

• The highest-paid professionals in the construction field are construction managers and supervisors who oversee the daily operations of construction projects. In May 2008, the BLS noted that first-line supervisors across all trades in the construction industry made a median hourly wage of $27.95. At the same time, construction managers who oversaw operations across the same spectrum of industry trades made a median hourly wage of about $38.39.

  Supervisors typically need significant experience working in the construction field, but construction managers usually need a bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering or a related discipline. A mixture of construction management and business courses can help prepare you for this line of work, but even with a degree, you may need several years of hands-on experience in construction before you can become a manager. First-line supervisory positions can be a step in that direction.

Plumbers

• The BLS also lists plumbers, pipe fitters and layers, and steam fitters among the highest-paid construction professionals. The number of jobs for plumbers is expected to increase by 16 percent by 2018. Professionals working in this field made a median hourly wage of $21.94 in May 2008, according to the BLS.

  As the titles of these positions suggest, plumbers and other piping professionals install plumbing systems. Plumbers also specialize in repairing or unclogging broken pipe systems. Plumbers typically learn their trade through technical schools and apprenticeships in which they work alongside other professional plumbers. Most plumbers have to obtain state licensing to work as a professional in this field.

Electricians

• Electricians were also high on the list of top-paid construction professionals in the BLS 2008 report. According to the report, electricians made a median hourly rate of pay of just under that of plumbers, at $22.32. Electricians install electrical power systems in homes and repair systems when they break down. Those who work in construction installing new systems must have extensive knowledge of blueprint reading in order to properly fit the home or building.

  Like plumbers, electricians usually learn their trade by a combination of hands-on experience through apprenticeships and classroom instruction in a technical school or community college. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require licensing to work in this field. The BLS expects 12 percent job growth for electricians through 2018.