Best Paying Construction Jobs: Complete Guide

Construction sector is a major contributor to the GDP at global and at country levels for most the countries, especially the developing and developed countries. Its contribution to GDP may range from 12 to 30 per cent and even more from country to country.

Last update:
01/01/2024
Best Paying Construction Jobs: Complete Guide

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Public and private demand of buildings - residential, commercial and industrial - remains high consistently since decades. Demand for public infrastructure like Roads, Rail, Ports, Airports, Canals, Dams, Other structures is also high.

Allocation of funds for construction is one of the top expenditure in both public and private sectors of any growing economy. This scenario leads to generation of jobs, and many of the cadres involved in construction jobs are the best paid jobs if we look at these positions from the point of view of job seekers. To get the best paying job in construction sector requires you as a candidate to be well informed about the sector and the jobs.

As the hiring company is to spend best of amount on you, on your part you too must have commensurate edge in you to get and to move ahead with the best paying job in construction sector. This article aims to provide you that edge.

Developer firms and Contractor firms working in private and public sectors hire these best talents. Be prepared to have a brilliant career in this sector, this guide would be very valuable to have comprehensive information of the sector from the point of view of best paying jobs.

Please read this complete guide on best paying construction jobs so that you can have that cutting edge on your sleeve.

This guide would help you face the interview better to fructify your resume into result in form of the best paying job in construction sector.

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Best Paying Construction Jobs


Following is a list of jobs which can be categorized as the best paying jobs for jobseekers as per their education, skills and experience with construction projects.

Best Paying Construction Jobs

Construction Managers - Site Managers - Project Managers


Construction Managers handle most of the tasks at the managerial level of a construction organization or a construction project or a construction site. These positions are variously known as site managers and project managers depending on the scale of operations and ways of working of construction companies, firms and organizations.

They are entrusted with the overall responsibility of the construction works of an organization or the site or the project. This is a key post.

The incumbent is expected to prepare budgets and estimates, to seek internal and external approvals, to see that statutes and terms are complied with, to lead the team or teams of varied tasks at the site or in the organization, to see that timelines of construction work are maintained, to do troubleshooting on day to day basis, to stay put at the site office, to monitor the work of various employees, to see that measurements are taken while the work continues and to see that the invoices are generated in time and submitted to the concerned, to see that payments both to and from are done as per stipulated terms and in time and to report the superiors on regular basis.

This post is offered to candidates who have basic graduation in construction or management related degrees from recognized and approved educational institutions, and experience of having worked in projects or sites of companies or firms.

The pay may be around 100000 USD per annum.

Land Surveyors and Soil Testing Experts


They carry out the survey of the land of the site for demarcation as well as topographical features, while the soil testing is done soil testing experts. Samples of the soil are collected as per specifications and sent to the lab and soil testing is done. Report and maps are provided to the service users.

Large firms may have their own land surveyors and soil testing handlers while others outsource these tasks to firms working on these tasks in exclusion. They are expected to have specialized education in these subjects and appropriate experience of the said work.

They are paid handsomely by the employers though their numbers are relatively less.

Civil Engineers and Structural Engineers, Planners, Draftsman


These positions are filled with candidates with master's degrees, graduates with degrees and diploma or certificate holders depending on the level of work expected from them.

Structural Engineers are generally highest paid among them, next being civil engineers and then the rest. The pay ranges from 150000 USD per annum to 50000 USD per annum as per the stratum of the candidate.

Structural Engineers see to it that the building and construction codes are complied with while making the structure designs, civil engineers prepare plans along with planners and draftsmen, and get these technically sanctioned by the approvers.

Once the work starts at the site, they continuously monitor the work and give necessary instructions to workers and their supervisors.

These job holders must be familiar and well versed in using software like AutoCAD etc. so that they can have edge in their work.

Estimators


Best Paying Construction Jobs


They prepare cost estimates, time estimates and material estimates for the project.

These positions are also well paid for - 50000 and more USD per annum.

Architects and Interior Designers


Best Paying Construction Jobs


They are responsible for the plan and look of the spaces and optimally aesthetic utilization of spaces. They interact with users the most and provide solutions to their requirements in the most effective way. They also interact with managers to manage the costs and materials related issues. Their role is vital.

These jobs are offered to master's or graduate degree holders from approved technical institutes.

They are paid well - 100000 to 150000 USD per annum.

Compliance and Liaison Officer


These officers work with statutory and other authorities for construction and building approvals, for fire safety compliance, for pollution control compliance, environmental compliance and other such compliances.

They also earn well as their task is very important.

Management or public administration or law degree holders can aspire for these jobs.

Finance, Accounts, Audit Managers


These jobs are like such jobs in other sectors with certain specific requirements like understanding of invoices vis a vis the measurement books, area calculations etc.

These jobs are well paid as in general.

Their inputs may be required in ascertaining beneficial project financing and maintaining profit projections and profits. They also work on capitalization accounting of the projects.

Their pay may range from 90000 to 120000 USD per annum.

Sales, Purchase, Stores, Inventory Managers


These are managerial tasks and bachelor degree holders and preferably masters' degree holders in management and commercial operations get selected in these jobs.

They manage the sales, purchase and inventory tasks and help the outcomes of the projects.

They get well paid for their roles. Pay range may be from 50000 to 80000 USD per annum.

Labor and Human Resource Managers, Administrators


These are the posts filled by bachelors degree or master degree holders in relevant subjects. They also ensure compliance to labor laws, particularly child labor laws and other statutes.

Their pay remains commensurate to their pay in other sectors.

Supervisors (General and Quality Control), Measurement Book Keepers, Invoice Makers


Once the site is progressing with construction activities for example elevator installation by elevator installers, the role of quality control personnel and supervisors becomes very important. The measurements also need to be taken simultaneously as the work progresses, invoicing depends on these measurements and accuracy is very important in maintaining measurement books. Building inspector also plays a similar role.

Their pays are in the range of around 50000 USD per annum depending on their seniority, experience and reliability. Professionals with bachelor's degree or master's degree make the most money.

Best Paying Construction Jobs

Tender and Contract Managers


These posts may be offered in big firms who are engaged in contesting for public tenders or global tenders. They do the coordination work for these tenders and also manage the documentation and do tender filing and process related tasks.

They also take care of compliance to tender or contract terms and conditions for commercial buildings. Such construction managers earn decent during their construction jobs with construction projects, especially with relevant bachelor's degree and master's degree.

Construction Equipment Operators


Many of the construction equipment like loaders, cranes, earth movers, pile, backhoe, trucks and tractors require handlers of these heavy equipment with electrical components/ electrical work as well.. All these positions are offered good remuneration.

Only a high school diploma or a technical trade certificate would be required with needed skills and experience along with technical information.

These job holders must be very meticulous and careful as they are the ones who can avoid accidents on construction field, multistory buildings and much more such as new buildings or any new construction site.

Their pay ranges from 50000 to 60000 USD per annum.

Best Paying Construction Jobs

Construction and Building Inspectors


Their work of the construction industry is like that of general supervisors/ construction manager, they are empowered to instruct the workers if their work is not in line with the stipulated plans and requirements along with read blueprints by architect.

They are supposed to ensure compliance with building codes for the construction sites. These jobs are paid in the range of 50000 to 70000 USD per annum.

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers


These are some of the highest paying jobs as they do important task of assembling elevators and escalators and fitting them at the site.

They are also responsible for the approvals, for maintenance, for operations and for regular and breakdown servicing.

They are paid around 90000 to 100000 USD per annum which is great for a successful construction career.

Excavation Workers RCC Iron Worker, Centering Workers


This category of construction workers do diligent work and are important from the point of view of averting accidents.

Manual excavation may be required at times in certain situations. They are provided safety gears to avoid any hazards.

Their pay is from 50000 to 60000 USD per annum.

Masons Tiles Fitters Workers Fabrication Workers


Trained masons and other workers can earn well if their workmanship is good. Their pays may be around 50000 USD per year.

Electricians HVAC Technician Solar Panel Installer


Licensed electricians can earn well up to 60000 and more USD per year. The electrical fitting work is important and requires appropriate education and license.

Plumbers, Pipeline Fitters, Steam Fitters


Their workmanship makes them unique and in demand fetching them good pay.

Carpenters Glass Section Aluminum Section Fiber Section Workers


They together make the place worth living and enjoying. They get pay of around 50000 to 60000 USD per year.

Painters


They make the building and place beautiful with their work. They too earn around 50000 to 60000 USD per year.

Workers in Industrial Construction engaged in special work - Boilers etc.


Boiler work is a special work. They can earn upwards of 70000 USD per year.

Cleanliness Supervisors


Their work is important to make the site tidy so that workers find the site workable. They help avoid accidents by keeping the site in order.

Fire System Installers and Operators


This is a mandatory requirement as per case and the workers engaged in this work get good pay either directly from firms or from fire safety firms that are hired by the construction firm.

Rail Track Layers


They have a special work of laying rail tracks. They can earn accordingly from upwards of 60000 USD per year.

Safety Officers


Their work is very important from hazard mitigation point of view. They can earn from 60000 USD onwards for their role.

Best Places To Find The Best Paying Construction Jobs


Construction work happens across all areas but the scale differs. More construction activities are seen in urban places compared to rural places.

Growing urban areas are the major sites for residential, commercial, industrial and public infrastructure projects.

Some posts like elevator and escalator installers and repairers are obviously available in urban areas where there is demand for these facilities. These services are not required in rural areas, but these days even some individual residential structures also opt for small elevators.

Trends in the Highest Paying Construction Jobs


Best Paying Construction Jobs


Rising trends are observed across all areas in construction activities. Rising trends are there across all positions. As the demand evolves, certain types of structures may require particular skills more than others.

As the preferences change from wooden to metal or plastic based materials, the workers need to learn more skills. it may have cost and other implications. These trends must be taken into account by all the job aspirants to make them competent for the jobs.

Conclusion


To conclude this guide for best paying construction sector jobs, we have provided detailed lists and tasks related to best paying jobs in the construction sector. We hope that this information equips you well for working in the sector and getting the jobs of your dreams.

This information is supposed to help you understand the construction sector and how you can handle construction project in various role whether as construction manager or building inspector or elevator installers, to understand the jobs and job profiles in the construction sector, to prepare for the jobs even while you are studying, to compete and contest for these jobs by writing relevant resumes and by facing the interviews successfully.

We refer you to our website for writing best resumes, best cover letters and perform best in the interview. Our resume builder function which is available on our website is like customized ChatGPT providing you best of the tips for writing best resume. We strongly recommend you to use our resume builder function on our website.

We convey our best wishes to you to have your jobs of your liking. We hope to see many construction plans turning into wonders of cement - concrete or whatever material taking beautiful, aesthetic and wonderful shape at your hands. Best of luck.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the risks of working in construction sector and having best paying construction jobs?

This is fast moving sector with high value changes taking place often, you must remain vigilant as to the dynamics of costs of materials and labor costs.

Material quality is a challenge and you must be wary about not getting cheated.

Availability of labor is a challenge and you must have alternate plans to mitigate any shortages at any stage.

What should we keep in mind when going for best paying construction jobs?

You must also be careful in calculations keeping in view the tender or contract conditions. Inadequate clarity or any ambiguity may end you incurring losses for the work. At the same time to remain competitive you must quote the values in such a way that you remain in the first position that is L1 position.

Meeting Schedules may at times disrupt work life balance.

What are the risks hazards of working with best paying construction jobs?

Apart from possibilities of accidents at the site, there are certain health hazards when certain detrimental material may be used in construction.

You must follow the guidelines of safety unit and strictly adhere to wearing of safety gears etc. while moving at the site.

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