The Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga is proud to celebrate Careers in Construction Month during October. Professionals in home building and specialty trades are in high demand right now, and these careers can provide lucrative salaries.
Below are the average wages earned by construction professionals in Tennessee according to the NAHB State Wage and Workforce Demand Data:
First-line supervisors of construction trades
Mean: $59,870
Top 25%: $70,400
Brickmasons and blockmasons
Mean: $51,280
Top 25%: $59,510
Carpenters
Mean: $43,120
Top 25%: $49,130
Tile and stone setters
Mean: $37,300
Top 25%: $42,620
Cement Masons and concrete finishers
Mean: $40,690
Top 25%: $47,340
Construction laborers
Mean: $35,020
Top 25%: $39,410
Paving and surfacing equipment operators
Mean: $38,870
Top 25%: $42,530
Operating engineers and equipment operators
Mean: $40,470
Top 25%: $46,580
Drywall and ceiling tile installers
Mean: $44,770
Top 25%: $51,600
Electricians
Mean: $50,140
Top 25%: $59,860
Insulation workers
Mean: $34,710
Top 25%: $38,840
Painters
Mean: $36,720
Top 25%: $41,480
Pipelayers
Mean: $36,660
Top 25%: $39,640
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
Mean: $50,000
Top 25%: $56,250
Roofers
Mean: $37,390
Top 25%: $43,820
Along with good pay, construction jobs provide a sense of accomplishment when professionals can see their finished projects.
Also, construction jobs directly help many people in our local community and are always in high demand.
These are just a few reasons graduates should consider learning a trade profession.
Chattanooga State offers many vocational programs which can be found at www.chattanoogastate.edu.
Students that have not yet graduated might consider attending Sequoyah High School to focus on learning a trade as part of their diploma studies. Courses can be found at sequoyah.hcde.org.
Also, many local construction and remodeling businesses offer to train employees with no experience necessary.
If you’re thinking of going into a construction profession, consider job shadowing for a day in the field of your interest. The HBAGC is comprised of hundreds of members that would love to have you work for them.
Visit the member directory at www.HBAGC.net to find contact information for these businesses, or consider visiting the Annual Fall Home Show Oct. 29-31 at the Chattanooga Trade and Convention Center to talk to potential employers at their booths.