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Architecture & Construction Occupations
Architecture & Construction Occupations

Careers in Architecture & Construction focus on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining structures.


The construction industry offers career options at different levels of education and training.

Many in-demand construction careers have no formal education requirements, or can be started with a high school diploma. Skills in these fields are often gained through on-the-job training or apprenticeship. These include carpenters, construction laborers, highway maintenance workers, painters, cement masons and concrete finishers, brick and block masons, and sheet metal workers.

Apprenticeship is a tradition in the construction industry, and it’s a great way to enter many fields—learning on the job while earning a paycheck. Apprenticeships in high demand fields include: bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, elevator constructor mechanic, pipe fitter, and plumber. Workers like these who have specialized skills in hands-on occupations are often referred to as “tradespeople.”

Some fields require a certificate or other short-term training, such as heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, construction equipment operators, and welders.

A college degree or several years of work experience is required for other positions, such as construction managers and supervisors, civil engineers and designers, or drafters.

Is a career in the construction industry for you? Keep these points in mind:

  • Full-time work hours of 40 hours per week are pretty typical. Most projects operate on a deadline, and longer hours may sometimes be required.
  • People in construction often say they prefer to work with their hands and have a variety of daily physical demands, rather than sit at a desk.
  • Injuries are more common than in most industries: about 3% of workers each year have injuries or illness related to work.
  • Many employers are open to hiring workers who have a criminal record.
  • Workers see the result of their efforts in projects and structures they’ve helped build—some that will last for many years.