Construction & Building Salaries
The Construction and Building Industry encompasses a diverse array of roles, ranging from entry-level labor and skilled trades to specialized technical, engineering, and management positions. Salaries in this field are influenced by factors like experience, location (e.g., higher in high-demand areas like California), certifications, union membership, and project scale. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the median annual wage for construction and extraction occupations as a group stands at $58,360, well above the all-occupations median of $49,500. Many skilled trades earn $60,000+, while engineering, management, and oversight roles often exceed $90,000–$100,000+ annually, reflecting strong demand from infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects.
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | $96,690 | $46.49 |
| Assistant Construction Manager | ~$106,980 (related to Construction Managers) | ~$51.43 |
| Assistant Project Manager (Construction) | ~$106,980 (related) | ~$51.43 |
| BIM Coordinator | Varies; often $70,000–$90,000 | Varies |
| BIM Manager (Building Information Modeling) | Varies; often $90,000–$120,000 | Varies |
| Building Inspector | $72,120 | $34.67 |
| Building Maintenance Supervisor | Varies; ~$60,000–$80,000 (related to supervisors) | Varies |
| Carpenter | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,590 | $47.88 |
| Concrete Finisher | Varies; ~$50,000–$60,000 (related to laborers/operators) | Varies |
| Construction Administrator | Varies; often under Construction Managers | Varies |
| Construction Coordinator | Varies; ~$70,000–$90,000 | Varies |
| Construction Foreman | Varies; often $70,000+ (related to supervisors) | Varies |
| Construction Laborer | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| Construction Manager | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Construction Operations Manager | ~$106,980 (related) | ~$51.43 |
| Construction Safety Manager | Varies; often $80,000–$100,000 | Varies |
| Construction Scheduler | Varies; ~$70,000–$90,000 | Varies |
| Construction Superintendent | ~$106,980 (related to Construction Managers) | ~$51.43 |
| Contract Administrator (Construction) | Varies; often under managers | Varies |
| Cost Engineer | Varies; ~$80,000–$110,000 (related to engineers) | Varies |
| Crane Operator | Varies; ~$60,000–$80,000 (under equipment operators) | Varies |
| Demolition Supervisor | Varies | Varies |
| Drywall Installer | Varies; ~$50,000–$60,000 (related trades) | Varies |
| Electrician | $62,350 | ~$30.00 (approx.) |
| Estimator (Construction) | Varies; often $70,000–$100,000 | Varies |
| Facilities Construction Manager | ~$106,980 (related) | ~$51.43 |
| Finish Carpenter | ~$59,310 (related to Carpenters) | ~$28.51 |
| Framing Carpenter | ~$59,310 (related) | ~$28.51 |
| General Contractor | Varies; often $100,000+ (self-employed or managerial) | Varies |
| Glazier | Varies; ~$50,000–$60,000 | Varies |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Varies; ~$60,000+ (under Construction Equipment Operators) | Varies |
| HVAC Technician | Varies; ~$60,000+ (related to installation/repair) | Varies |
| Insulation Installer | Varies; ~$45,000–$60,000 | Varies |
| Ironworker | Varies; ~$60,000+ | Varies |
| Mason | Varies; ~$50,000–$60,000 | Varies |
| Paving Operator | Varies; under equipment operators | Varies |
| Plumber | $62,970 | ~$30.27 (approx.) |
| Project Engineer (Construction) | Varies; often $80,000–$100,000 (related to civil engineers) | Varies |
| Project Manager (Construction) | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Quality Assurance Inspector | Varies; ~$60,000–$80,000 | Varies |
| Quality Control Manager (Construction) | Varies; often under managers | Varies |
| Quantity Surveyor | Varies; often $70,000–$100,000 (international term; US ~ cost estimator) | Varies |
| Roofing Contractor | Varies; often $60,000+ | Varies |
| Safety Officer (Construction) | Varies; ~$70,000–$90,000 | Varies |
| Scaffolding Supervisor | Varies | Varies |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Varies; ~$55,000–$70,000 | Varies |
| Site Superintendent | ~$106,980 (related) | ~$51.43 |
| Skilled Trades Helper | Varies; ~$40,000–$50,000 (related to laborers/helpers) | Varies |
| Structural Engineer | Varies; ~$99,590 (related to Civil Engineers) | ~$47.88 |
Salary Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page reflect aggregated employer-reported wage data and publicly available labor statistics. Compensation varies based on experience, certifications, location, employer type, and market demand. Ranges and estimates are provided for informational purposes only.