If you’re trying to job hunt and getting discouraged by the countless roles that require years of experience, difficult-to-obtain certificates, or expensive degrees, it may be time to consider a career working in construction.
The commercial construction industry has something for everyone! From entry-level positions to more specialized work, there are plenty of opportunities to pursue. However, if that’s not enticing enough, the field also offers job security, great compensation, career advancement, and more! Read on to discover all the pros of being a construction worker.
8 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Career in Construction
1. Increased Job Security
Did you know that the construction industry employs around 8 million people and builds nearly 2.1 trillion dollars worth of structures every year? It’s a highly-demanded, skill-required industry that’s not going anywhere.
While some jobs have an 88% chance of becoming automated (which means your job getting taken by robots or AI), laborers such as construction workers have less than a 35% chance of their jobs being replaced by automation. This means you can relax knowing that you’ve chosen a career field that not only offers lifelong job security but is also recession-resilient.
2. Great Benefits and Pay
The average construction worker in Wisconsin earns about $25 an hour—and that amount doesn’t account for the pay raises that occur as you grow within your career and gain more site experience. The great compensation is due to the skilled nature of construction, paired with how difficult the job is to outsource.
Plus, on top of the enticing dollar signs, most commercial construction roles also offer great employee benefits, including (but not limited to):
- Paid time off
- Vacation and sick days
- Medical, dental, and health insurance
- 401(k) or pension plans (often with employer matching)
- Overtime pay
- Annuity funds (typically found in union contracts)
- Safety incentive programs
- Housing stipends for out-of-town projects
3. Higher Education Not Required
Most career fields these days require the completion of some form of higher education, such as a college degree or a master’s certificate. However, that is not the case with commercial construction. If you’re interested in pursuing a specialization, such as electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, you’ll likely have to go to trade school, which lasts anywhere from a few months to two years and only costs a couple of thousand dollars.
Otherwise, you can simply get a start in the industry as a general laborer and learn the job via an apprenticeship or entry-level position. Both are paid roles that allow you to study the ins and outs of construction through everyday on-site exposure. You’ll get to join the workforce right away without being burdened by the over $30,000 in debt the average student loan borrower has.
4. Try Out a Variety of Roles
Construction is complicated and tends to involve a lot of different people working in a variety of positions. This, however, is a good thing, as it creates opportunities for you to experience an assortment of different roles. On a typical commercial site on any given day, there are likely HVAC technicians, masonry workers, painters, and more!
Explore our table below to see some examples of common roles:
| Occupation | Job Duties | Average Salary |
| Surveyor | Ensure the design blueprints translate into precise, accurate, and safe measurements on site. | $74,000 |
| Estimator | Calculate the total cost of materials, labor, equipment, and time required for a project. | $78,000 |
| Electrician | Install, repair, and maintain anything relating to electrical power, including lighting, control systems, and wiring. | $62,000 |
| Carpenters | Construct, install, and repair the frameworks for buildings and structures, often with wood. | $55,000 |
| Heavy Equipment Operators | Safely and efficiently operate small and large-scale heavy equipment, such as excavators or dozers. | $52,000 |
| Welders | Safely use high-heat equipment to join, cut, or repair metal components. | $62,000 |
| Hazardous Material Remover | Identify and dispose of harmful substances sometimes found on construction sites, such as asbestos or lead. | $58,000 |
And what’s listed above is just naming a few! You’re welcome to pursue a career in any of these different specialties until you find what interests you—and the best part is, you can switch at any time. This not only allows you to explore your niche, but also prevents job fatigue from constantly having to do the same thing.
5. Opportunities for Career Growth
A career in commercial construction provides many opportunities for career growth. It’s a dual-dimensional industry, which means you can steadily climb up the organizational ladder or pivot sideways and try out different positions within the business.
For example, you can stick with being a general laborer, eventually moving up to become the site manager, or you can start as a roofer and later switch to drywalling. There is no limit to how much you can grow within the construction industry, meaning there will be no stagnant, frustrating stretches of your career.
6. Experience Groundbreaking Technology
Just because the commercial construction industry is a little slower when it comes to adopting technology, that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening at all. There are a lot of ground-breaking designs, engineering, and conceptual software and devices being used on sites daily.
Some examples include 3D printing, aerial drones, augmented reality, and robotics. And these tools are intended to help, not hurt. They’re designed to optimize workflows, improve project efficiency, and help with worker safety. While working in construction, you’ll become familiar with all these things and more, putting you ahead of the technological curve.
7. Lots of Union Options
Commercial construction is one of the most heavily unionized industries in the United States, with nearly 995,000 members reported just last year. Their popularity is due to the fact that unions are designed to provide you with ample opportunities while simultaneously protecting your career.
You get to enjoy unique benefits such as striking or collective bargaining, legal representation, and access to union-exclusive education and skill programs. It’s a great way to ensure good working conditions and get involved with the community.
8. Inclusive Workplace
The construction industry is often referred to as the “great equalizer,” due to the opportunities it creates for people of all backgrounds and genders to have access to stable, high-paying jobs. And while construction may have once been considered a male-dominated industry, those statistics are changing.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise over 14% of the construction workforce (this is up from 10.8% in 2023), and more are joining each and every day. It’s a great career field for women looking for inclusive opportunities to grow and excel! As an added benefit, there are a lot of great organizations, such as the National Association of Women in Construction, that provide additional support.
Start Your Construction Career Today
If you’re interested in beginning a career in commercial construction, check out our job listings or contact us today with any questions. We are always looking for incredible talent to join our team, and are committed to providing all our employees with all the equipment, resources, and training necessary to succeed within the industry. Join us if you want to be part of a legacy!
