Reposted from the National Association of Home Builders
As market conditions for construction employment stabilize and construction jobs continue to open, now is a great time for students — anyone looking to make a career change — to pursue a construction career.
There are growing opportunities for women in construction, too, with a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau revealing that women’s share of the construction workforce is at a 20-year high.
We’re highlighting a few of the construction trades’ strongest-paying jobs and the skills needed to succeed at them during NAHB’s Associate Member Appreciation Month in September. All statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain and repair boilers and other large vessels that hold liquids and gases. The median pay for a boilermaker in 2025 was $76,410, and the top 25% of earners made at least $95,780. Entry-level positions in this career require a high school diploma or something equivalent.
- Carpenters construct, repair and install building frameworks. The median pay for a carpenter in 2025 was $60,580, and the top 25% of earners made at least $77,390. Entry-level positions in this career require a high school diploma or something equivalent.
- Drywall and ceiling tile installers hang wallboard and install tiles inside buildings. The median pay for a drywall and ceiling tile installer in 2025 was $59,780, and the top 25% of earners made at least $74,670. No formal educational credentials are required for this career.
- Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power and control systems. The median pay for an electrician in 2025 was $63, 190, and the top 25% of earners made at least $80,850. Entry-level positions in this career require a high school diploma or something equivalent.
- Masonry workers use brick, concrete and other stones to build structures. The median pay for a masonry worker in 2025 was $58,270, and the top 25% of brickmason and stonemason earners make at least $79,630. A high school diploma or something equivalent is typically required for this career along with an apprenticeship or previous experience. Learn more.
- Painters apply paint and other coatings to walls, ceilings, buildings and other structures. The median pay for a painter in 2025 was $49,400. No formal educational is required for this career.
- Plumbers install and repair piping systems. The median pay for a plumber in 2025 was $63,800, and the top 25% of earners make at least $83,360. Entry-level education for this career is a high school diploma or something equivalent.
View more of the highest-paid construction occupations in this deep dive on Eye on Housing from NAHB’s AVP of Housing Policy Research Natalia Siniavskaia.