As we have been reporting here at Constructech, the construction industry is ripe for innovation and growth, and in order to achieve this, we will need more workers in the years ahead. Let’s narrow in on this job growth to get a better picture of the opportunities that exist today and tomorrow in the construction industry.
The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) suggests overall employment in construction is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. For a number of different reasons, the bureau anticipates 663,500 openings projected each year on average. The median annual wage for this group was $55,680 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.
One subset that could see great growth in the years ahead is green construction jobs. This research is according to EPD (Excavator Parts Direct), which also predicts solar PV installer roles will grow nearly five times faster than the industry average and electricians are anticipated to grow 11%.
According to its findings, the ten most in-demand construction jobs are:
| Job | Median Salary | Growth by 2033 (Number) | Growth by 2033 (Rate) |
| Solar PV Installers | $48,00 | 12,000 | 48% |
| Electricians | $61,590 | 84,300 | 11% |
| Laborers | $44,310 | 119,400 | 7% |
| Plumbers | $61,550 | 26,300 | 6% |
| Roofers | $50,030 | 9,800 | 6% |
| Elevator & Escalator Installers | $102,420 | 1,400 | 6% |
| Flooring Installers | $48,690 | 7,500 | 6% |
| Carpenters | $56,350 | 38,600 | 4% |
| Equipment Operators | $55,270 | 21,500 | 4% |
| Glaziers | $51,100 | 2,100 | 4% |
Let’s narrow in a bit for a minute on the fastest growing jobs in the construction industry. First, we see solar PV installers are anticipated to see the fastest growth. The highest rate of growth for these jobs will be in California, Texas, and Florida.
We also see electrician jobs are anticipated to grow in the next several years, which can be attributed to several different factors such as the drive for more renewable energy, as well as workers needed to install and maintain wind turbines, battery storage systems, and other energy structures.
Finally, we see an overall need for general laborers in the construction industry. There are a number of reasons for this need—from an aging workforce to more residential, city, and infrastructure projects going up.
All in all, the construction industry needs workers—and there are big opportunities to have a steady career in a good-paying field. The future is bright for construction, with the right workers at the helm.
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