7 High-Paying Construction Jobs in the US

Despite what you may have heard about construction jobs, you can make a great living in this type of work. Here are the seven high-paying jobs you should know about.

1. Electrical Power-Line Installer & Repairer

Average Annual Salary: $65,650*

Electrical power-line installers and repairers are responsible for the power grids that service homes and businesses. Their work includes installing power lines and maintaining equipment like: traffic lights, voltage regulators, and transformers. The job also calls for climbing utility poles, driving vehicles, and working in confined spaces. People in this profession work full-time schedules but may also work overtime in emergencies.

2. Power Plant Operator

Average Annual Salary: $71,070**

While power line installers and repairers take care of the electrical lines and equipment, power plant operators handle the plants producing the power. Working with power-generating equipment, detecting operating problems, adjusting the flow of electricity, and reading meters are a few of their job responsibilities. Managing a plant is a 24-7 job, so this blue-collar job has a rotating schedule of eight to twelve hour shifts.

3. Boilermakers

Average Annual Salary: $60,170**

Workers in this blue collar job install and maintain boilers, closed vats, and any other structures that hold gasses and liquids. Following blueprints, assembling pre-fabricated parts, testing boiler systems, and replacing broken pipes are just a few things boilermakers do on the job. Most people in this blue collar job work full-time plus overtime as needed, traveling to worksites. Some end up working away from home for long periods of time.

4. Aircraft Mechanic

Average Annual Salary: $60,160*

Airlines and aviation companies depend on these mechanics to keep their aircrafts up and running. That means identifying any electrical problems, replacing defective parts, testing gauges, and keeping accurate maintenance records. They can be found working in hangars and airfields, repairing aircrafts like jets, planes, and helicopters. This blue collar job calls for rotating eight-hour shifts that include weekends.

5. Construction and Building Inspectors

Average Annual Salary: $60,030*

Construction and building inspectors are tasked with making sure the homes and buildings we live in are safe and up to code. They review and approve building plans that meet local ordinances, building codes, and zoning rules. People in this construction job visit construction sites to check buildings and structures using various tools like survey instruments and metering devices. If a project doesn’t comply with codes or other regulations, construction and building inspectors have the authority to issue violation notices. As for work schedules, people in this profession work full-time during normal business hours.

6. Underwater Welders

Average Annual Salary: $54,750**

This construction job takes these specialized welders underwater to weld piping, inspect structures, and perform repairs. Not only do these day laborers need to be experienced welders, they must also have a diving certification. They’re also responsible for doing scheduled maintenance and quality control. These welders find most of their work on oil rigs and Navy ships. As a result, their work schedule can be intense – months out at sea and 80 hour work weeks.

7. Millwrights

Average Annual Salary: $51,520*

From factories to power plants, millwrights are the day laborers who take care of all of the heavy equipment and machinery. This blue collar job calls for assembling new equipment, machine installation on a job site, and repairing existing machines. Because their job can vary from project to project, millwrights have flexible schedules as contractors. Click here to learn more about millwrights. Ready for more info on that can get you ready to get back to work? Click here now to sign up!

*according to Forbes

**according to NextShark