If you’re thinking about a career in the construction industry, there are some things you should consider first. Just like any other career path, weighing your options and employment opportunities is an important part of entering the world of construction.
Here are the pros and cons of choosing a career in construction:
State of Construction in the U.S.
Are you considering a career in construction? If so, there’s no better way to determine whether it’s a smart career move than by reviewing construction industry statistics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are an average of 150,000 new construction job openings each month in the United States.
Likewise, both commercial and single family housing construction is likely to rise by 15% within the next year. With average hourly earnings in the $30 range, it looks as though a career in construction is a wise decision.
However, there are other statistics to consider, including the unemployment rate for construction workers in the United States.
Monthly unemployment rates fluctuate from 7.5% to 10.5% in the country. With these numbers in mind, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of a career in construction.
Construction Pros
As the following article looks at, although construction employment declines in March should be a cause for concern, there are still a number of advantages to a career in construction.
Here are just a few:
- Job Flexibility – There are a number of hats to wear in the field of construction, which means there’s plenty of job flexibility. Many construction disciplines cover a broad range of specialties, which is good news if you want to change paths throughout your career.
- Job Security – Construction workers are needed all across the country. From masonry professionals to framers and jobsite supervisors, if you’re good at what you do, you’ll always have work in the field of construction.
- Opportunities – Going along with job security is the growing number of construction job opportunities available. With cities and towns only getting bigger, construction jobs are on the rise.
- Rewarding – Actually seeing results is a huge reward when working in the construction industry. Whether you’re laying the foundation for an office building or framing the walls of a single-family home, each day has its own goals, accomplishments, and rewards.
Construction Cons
Taking a look at the advantages of a career in construction is helpful, but it’s also important to take a close look at the cons as well.
Here are a few:
- Long Hours – Many construction jobs come with long hours. Although there are limitations to the number of hours a worker can be on the job, overtime is common.
- Manual Labor – Manual labor is a large part of many construction jobs. Everyone from the foreman to bricklayers perform a certain amount of manual labor everyday while on the job.
- Lackluster Benefits – Although some construction companies offer health benefits to their workers, many simply don’t. This means healthcare and other costs are out of pocket.
- Dangers – There are inherent risks that go along with working at a construction site. From falling debris to injuries that are a result of tool and equipment usage, construction sites are dangerous.
Before you choose a career in construction, consider the pros and cons above.
About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including construction and job hunting.
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