Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Construction Coverage.
Despite inflation, rising interest rates, and recession fears, the outlook for the construction industry in the next few years appears positive, according to Construction Coverage.
A midyear report from the American Institute of Architects projected 9.1% growth in nonresidential construction for the remainder of 2022 and 6% growth in 2023.
High demand for construction across the board has helped boost the industry over the past two years and could help construction companies weather a potential recession. The dramatic run-up in home values and rents highlighted the need to add residential housing supply, while the COVID-19 pandemic spurred facility upgrades to many non-residential spaces. The federal government has also been investing heavily in construction and infrastructure. The centerpiece of federal investment was a $1.9 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law late last year.
As the industry changes and modernizes, many of the professions set for the greatest rate of growth are in fact jobs not commonly associated with construction, like market research analysts, software developers, and lawyers. Energy and communications infrastructure will provide the fastest employment growth in the industry.
Here are the fastest-growing jobs in the construction industry. Our final slide, Methodology, tells how this research was conducted.
15. Computer and information systems managers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +8.6%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +200
Total employment (current): 2,400
Median annual wage (current): $129,910
14. Electricians
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +9.0%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +46,100
Total employment (current): 512,900
Median annual wage (current): $59,000
13. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +11.9%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +1,700
Total employment (current): 14,000
Median annual wage (current): $60,130
12. Financial managers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +12.4%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +2,000
Total employment (current): 15,900
Median annual wage (current): $126,230
11. Construction managers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +12.4%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +28,900
Total employment (current): 232,500
Median annual wage (current): $98,500
10. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +12.6%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +1,800
Total employment (current): 14,500
Median annual wage (current): $48,270
9. Tile and stone setters
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +12.7%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +4,300
Total employment (current): 33,700
Median annual wage (current): $48,090
8. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +13.2%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +4,100
Total employment (current): 30,700
Median annual wage (current): $47,710
7. Mechanical door repairers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +14.5%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +2,400
Total employment (current): 16,800
Median annual wage (current): $45,250
6. Software developers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +15.1%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +300
Total employment (current): 2,300
Median annual wage (current): $89,400
5. Lawyers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +16.1%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +300
Total employment (current): 1,600
Median annual wage (current): $152,650
4. Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +21.6%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +400
Total employment (current): 1,900
Median annual wage (current): $51,690
3. Logisticians
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +27.8%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +400
Total employment (current): 1,500
Median annual wage (current): $64,000
2. Solar photovoltaic installers
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +30.2%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +3,900
Total employment (current): 12,900
Median annual wage (current): $47,710
1. Wind turbine service technicians
10-year projected employment growth (percent): +60.5%
10-year projected employment growth (total): +1,400
Total employment (current): 2,400
Median annual wage (current): $50,630
Methodology
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections Survey.
To identify the fastest-growing jobs in construction, researchers at Construction Coverage calculated the projected change in employment between 2021 and 2031 for all detailed occupations with at least 1,000 employees in the construction industry in 2021. All data reported at the occupation level — including projected employment, current employment, and median wages — are specific to the construction industry.