As the Triangle continues to grow, the construction labor market is struggling to keep up. According to reports from Associated Builders and Contractors, the construction industry must hire over 500,000 additional workers on top of its normal demand to keep up with housing demand. In the report, Michael Bellaman, ABC President and CEO said, “As the demand for construction services remains high, filling these roles with skilled craft professionals is vital to America’s economy and infrastructure rebuilding initiatives.”
In short, it’s more important now than it’s ever been to staff these jobs properly and to help the country continue to grow. In North Carolina, the building industry remains a key component of growth in the Triangle. The following 8 careers are key within the construction industry and are just a few of its many important jobs.
Engineer
A structural engineer focuses on the design and structure of a building, and in the housing construction business, they review an architect’s design to finalize and approve moving forward. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that this field is growing, but it does take a 4-year degree or more to be able to get into the field. The median pay in 2021 was over $88,000. This career is great for a creative thinker who enjoys hands-on work and problem solving.
Project Manager
A project manager within a construction company oversees the details of the project, including managing budgets, providing logistics, and supervising the project from start to finish. This fast-growing field may require a Bachelor’s degree, but the median pay according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was over $98,000. It’s a good job for someone who likes to plan strategies, is organized, and who can budget wisely.
General Contractor
A general contractor (GC) is typically hired by a customer to handle the construction itself. For example, a GC will tackle building permits, source labor, procure equipment and materials, ensure the home passes numerous stages of inspection, oversee the project timeline, and deliver a final project that meets the requirements of the structural engineer and the building codes. A general contractor should be licensed by the state, and they will hire subcontractors that they manage to complete the work. To get a GC license, it’s important to study for the licensing test, but typically, they don’t necessarily need a college degree as long as they can prove they have the experience to do the job well. However, keep in mind that in the state of North Carolina, GC’s must provide a $350,000 bond to apply for a limited license, a $1,000,000 bond to apply for an intermedia license, and a $2,000,000 bond to apply for an unlimited license.
Plumber
In North Carolina, a licensed plumber is the only person who is legally allowed to perform plumbing work for new homes. With new construction, plumbers are the ones installing pipes, valves, faucets, and more. Typically, plumbers only need a high school diploma, and they can often benefit from an apprenticeship. The median pay is around $60,000 for plumbers.
Electrician
Electricians are important to the safety of a home, as they are the ones installing the electrical systems in new homes that will light, heat, power, and cool a home or building. It’s always wise to have electrical work done by a licensed electrician, regardless of whether it’s a big job or something small like a ceiling fan, and any home with electrical wiring is subject to permitting and electrical inspections. Typically, electricians are required to have a high school diploma, as well as an apprenticeship. Median pay for an electrician is around $60,000.
Carpenter
A carpenter is important to a homebuilding project because they are typically the ones measuring, cutting, shaping, and finishing every bit of wood in a home. That may include floor joists, floorboards, walls, doors, cupboards, and kitchens. Carpenter jobs are slower growing than some construction jobs, but it’s still a very critical component of the building process. Carpenters can have a high school diploma and a potential apprenticeship. Median pay is around $50,000.
Interior Designer
Interior designers help a home meet the taste aesthetics of the homeowners. Interior designers will work with the homeowner to select décor, color, lighting, and other materials. This type of career is great for people who are creative and like working with people. They must typically earn a Bachelor’s degree and the median pay is around $60,000.
Roofer
Roofers are a critical piece of the building puzzle, as they are the ones protecting the entire interior from the elements. Roofing work is labor intensive, as it requires being able to climb, bend, and kneel, often during hot weather. It doesn’t take a formal education to become a roofer, and typically, even training is done on-the-job. Median pay for roofers is about $47,000.
The importance of jobs in construction
It takes several people coming together to build a home. And every role is as important as the next. If you’re considering a career in construction, it’s wise to do your homework to determine what might be best for you and your circumstances. But be aware that these jobs are growing in importance as the Triangle continues on its path of massive growth.
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