Build California

California’s construction industry is thriving! Build California is your one-stop-shop for info on careers, training, & jobs across the state. Get started & get paid.

Careers Work outside or in an office. The construction industry offers variety, opportunity, & great pay – with or without a college degree. Find your career here. Training There are 250+ accredited apprenticeship and college degree programs across the state. Find one that's right for you. Find a Job You've got the skills. Time to get paid!
See who's hiring in your area.

Top careers

A big house. Your dream car. Time to unwind. Careers in construction can get you there.

$36 ^{/hour +}

Carpenters

$36 ^{/hour +}

Cement Masons

$42 ^{/hour +}

Electricians

$41 ^{/hour +}

Ironworkers

$30 ^{/hour +}

Laborers

$45 ^{/hour +}

Operating Engineers

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By the numbers

In case you need more convincing. Here's why you should build a legacy in California's construction industry.

83^%

of Construction companies in California will hire in the next 12 months

250+

Places to Get Training Across the State

139K

New Construction Jobs That Will Need to be Filled by 2026

The industry

10.8%

In construction, you can earn an average of 10.8% more than in other industries.

$30.44

The average hourly wage for a skilled tradesperson is $30.44.

52%

52% of construction employers have increased salaries over the last 12 months.

868k

There are currently 868K tradespeople & construction professionals across the state.

Training Pathways 250+

Ready to start your career? Our training database has you covered.

See All Training Programs

Find Your Training Program

There are hundreds of programs across the state. Find a program near you.

Why Construction?

High Wages & Benefits
Immediate Job Openings
Opportunity to Grow
Build A Legacy

Start a career after high school & become a CEO without student loan debt. Go to college & make your mark in this high-tech, high-reward industry. The choice is yours. Build California is just here to get you started.

Get After It

Meet the Women Who Build California

Whether it’s running a company, managing a job site, or cutting metal, women can do it all! 💪 "Women bring a unique capability and skillset that our industry needs." -Diana Kimble, CEO of Royal Electric Co. Build California connected with eight #WomenInConstruction who shared their struggles, pivots, triumphs, and pride about how construction has …

Laborers in the Construction Industry: aka the “Backbone”

Hugo de la Torre, Director of Apprenticeship at NorCal Laborers, takes pride in the work that he does and says that being a Laborer is one of the most integral, versatile, and diverse roles one can be a part of. Simply put – they are the backbone of the construction …

Vibe with Your Mental Health, 10/10 Recommend

We get it, prioritizing your mental health can be challenging any day of the week. Between working hard, playing hard, providing for your family, building your legacy, and everything in between, it’s so easy to let your mental health slip. But neglecting your mental health is not the vibe. So, pause, …

Building a Green California: Sustainability and Technology in Construction

In our industry, we like to work hard. But we know it’s not always about working harder, but it’s about working smarter. That’s where tech can help! As the construction industry continues to evolve, making processes better and more efficient, there’s a growing opportunity to utilize tech in our sustainability efforts. Have …

She Builds California: Q&A with Operating Engineer, Melanie Baker

Melanie Baker is a journeyperson operating engineer with one of our Build California champions, Teichert Construction, and with Operating Engineers (OE) Local 3. March’s focuses were on operating engineers and Women’s History Month, so Melanie was the perfect person for our latest Q&A. We connected with Melanie to talk about her …

4 Steps to Become a Construction Estimator

Ready to start your career as a construction estimator? We’ve got the down and dirty on how to get there in four simple steps. #1 Determine Career Fit There are so many career paths in the construction industry. So, before you jump right in, make sure estimating is the right career fit …

Rebuilding California: Construction Workers Prove Essential in Times of Crisis

Despite the many beautiful parts of our Golden State, California residents live with the increasingly harsh realities of fire season. In 2020, the state experienced 9,121 fires, totaling a loss of 4,133,520 acres in the process. Within those millions of acres affected, families were displaced, homes destroyed, businesses ruined, ecosystems disrupted, …

Earn While You Learn: Here’s the 411 on Construction Apprenticeships

So, you know that the construction industry has some serious perks. But, how do you get started? One great way is an apprenticeship! Apprenticeships have been around for centuries. You won’t be limited to just sitting in a classroom and listening to a teacher for hours- with apprenticeship training, you’ll get …

Happy 2nd Birthday, Build California

It’s hard to believe another year has passed… the Build California Initiative is now two years old! Two years of showing just how much this industry matters. Two years of amplifying the voices of our construction family. Two years of growing our network across the state. Two years of inspiring, engaging …

Build California e-cademy is Here! 5 Must-Knows About Our Online Construction Learning Platform

We’ve been building something exciting, and we’re so ready to show you! Drum roll, please... Now announcing the Build California e-cademy, an e-learning platform to prepare you for a career in the construction industry through a series of classes, courses, and camps — even before an apprenticeship. Now’s your chance to explore …