Career Pathways

California's construction industry is filled with dynamic, unique career opportunities whether you earn a 4-year degree or start working after high school. Find a path that's right for you.

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Top careers

$55^{/hour +}

Carpenters:

Commercial carpenters build and finish walls and ceilings in hospitals, malls, schools, and stadiums using concrete forms and metal stud framing.

Industrial carpenters assemble scaffolding or bracing and build forms for tunnels, bridges, dams, and power plants.

Residential carpenters construct, fix, and renovate walls, floors, and frames in homes and apartments.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

details
$46^{/hour +}

Cement Masons:

Cement masons expertly pour and finish concrete, crafting the essential structures. From walls and foundations to bridges and roads, they work across a diverse range of projects such as schools, government buildings, highways, dams, and parks.

Demand through 2026: High

details
$70^{/hour +}

Electricians

Residential electricians install and maintain wiring, outlets, and circuit breakers in homes and apartments. In contrast, commercial electricians focus on electrical systems in office buildings, stores, and restaurants. Industrial electricians, on the other hand, specialize in high-voltage machinery used in factories, power plants, and shipyards.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

details
$37^{/hour +}

Laborers:

They work through all phases of construction from pouring concrete and moving earth, to operating power tools, and applying finishing touches. Laborers are in high-demand on highway and transportation projects, and residential or commercial sites across the state.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

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$52^{/hour +}

Operating Engineers:

Drive and control heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.

Demand through 2030: High

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$47^{/hour +}

Ironworkers:

In off-site shops, ironworkers fabricate the steel used on jobsites, or build ornamental finishings such as windows, walls, and stairs. On jobsites, ironworkers will call on their physical strength and scale great heights to move, set, and connect steel components.

Demand through 2030: Medium

details

All careers

$55^{/hour +}

Carpenters:

Commercial carpenters build and finish walls and ceilings in hospitals, malls, schools, and stadiums using concrete forms and metal stud framing.

Industrial carpenters assemble scaffolding or bracing and build forms for tunnels, bridges, dams, and power plants.

Residential carpenters construct, fix, and renovate walls, floors, and frames in homes and apartments.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

details
$46^{/hour +}

Cement Masons:

Cement masons expertly pour and finish concrete, crafting the essential structures. From walls and foundations to bridges and roads, they work across a diverse range of projects such as schools, government buildings, highways, dams, and parks.

Demand through 2026: High

details
$70^{/hour +}

Electricians

Residential electricians install and maintain wiring, outlets, and circuit breakers in homes and apartments. In contrast, commercial electricians focus on electrical systems in office buildings, stores, and restaurants. Industrial electricians, on the other hand, specialize in high-voltage machinery used in factories, power plants, and shipyards.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

details
$53^{/hour +}

Estimators:

Before a project begins, estimators play a critical role in estimating all construction-related costs using software and financial data.

During construction, they work with architects, engineers, and contractors to monitor and adjust project costs.

Demand through 2030: High

details
$47^{/hour +}

Ironworkers:

In off-site shops, ironworkers fabricate the steel used on jobsites, or build ornamental finishings such as windows, walls, and stairs. On jobsites, ironworkers will call on their physical strength and scale great heights to move, set, and connect steel components.

Demand through 2030: Medium

details
$37^{/hour +}

Laborers:

They work through all phases of construction from pouring concrete and moving earth, to operating power tools, and applying finishing touches. Laborers are in high-demand on highway and transportation projects, and residential or commercial sites across the state.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

details
$52^{/hour +}

Operating Engineers:

Drive and control heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.

Demand through 2030: High

details
$63^{/hour +}

Project Managers:

Project managers plan, coordinate, and supervise building projects from start to finish, overseeing budgets and ensuring everything runs smoothly. They work closely with architects, engineers, suppliers, and skilled workers throughout the construction process. Using planning and scheduling software, they manage design plans, adapt to changes, and ensure compliance with building and safety codes.

Demand through 2030: Extreme

details
$47^{/hour +}

Safety Managers:

Develop and evaluate safety procedures that help protect people and property on jobsites.

Demand through 2030: Medium

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Career Pathways

Top careers

$55/hour +

Carpenters:

$46/hour +

Cement Masons:

$70/hour +

Electricians

$37/hour +

Laborers:

$52/hour +

Operating Engineers:

$47/hour +

Ironworkers:

All careers

$55/hour +

Carpenters:

$46/hour +

Cement Masons:

$70/hour +

Electricians

$53/hour +

Estimators:

$47/hour +

Ironworkers:

$37/hour +

Laborers:

$52/hour +

Operating Engineers:

$63/hour +

Project Managers:

$47/hour +

Safety Managers:

$55^{/hour +}

$46^{/hour +}

$70^{/hour +}

$37^{/hour +}

$52^{/hour +}

$47^{/hour +}

$55^{/hour +}

$46^{/hour +}

$70^{/hour +}

$53^{/hour +}

$47^{/hour +}

$37^{/hour +}

$52^{/hour +}

$63^{/hour +}

$47^{/hour +}