Top Residential Construction Careers You Can Quickly Pivot to in 2021

This article was written by María Elena González.

For many years, residential construction careers have been attractive to those who seek job stability. Nowadays, getting a job in the construction industry will provide you with more than job security. In fact, the shortage of talent has increased job opportunities in the sector. Salaries are growing and if you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, you should consider making a career change.

Last year, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment increased by 279,000 jobs. In that case, there’s no doubt that your chances of getting employed are pretty high. This article will provide you with a list of the top residential construction careers you could pivot to quickly in 2021.

Construction Project Manager

In the construction industry, project managers play an essential role during the construction process. They must supervise, coordinate, and plan the entire construction project. From start to finish, the main goal is to keep everything under control and improve the workflow. In terms of qualifications, they have bachelor’s degrees and thorough job training and need to learn management skills. Construction project managers often have to create reports to keep their superiors informed about project costs, issues, and progress. Consequently, if you decide to start a project manager career, you should also consider learning data science and machine learning skills. After all, it will allow you to deal with data easily and create better reports in less time.

In 2020, the typical salary of a construction project manager can range between $93,000 and $120,000 per year. For that reason, it’s a great alternative to be in the six-figure salary club. Becoming a construction project manager requires a lot of tenacity. To be successful in the job, you will need to have excellent problem-solving, budgeting, and leadership skills. Likewise, since companies have invested more money in new technologies, getting familiar with IoT devices and tools will help you to remain competitive.

Installer of Photovoltaic Panels

In the past few years, the demand for PV panels has increased significantly. PV systems have helped customers to reduce their energy costs and even get some energy independence. For example, if you have a small solar grid on the roof of your house, and you have a Tesla Powerwall installed indoors, you’ll be all set in case of a blackout. As you no longer need the utility company to provide you with electric energy, keeping your family safe and achieving peace of mind won’t be a challenge.

In the next decade, more companies will invest money in sustainable tech trends. It’s because they seek to reduce energy waste and give the world a break. Installers of PV panels are in-demand in the construction industry. Although entry-level salaries are not the most attractive, becoming a PV installer is a great option in 2021. It’s one of the fastest-growing careers in residential construction, and your salary may significantly increase depending on your experience.

Civil Engineer

If you love everything about construction but you don’t like spending time on the job site, you should consider becoming a civil engineer. They often accomplish all their tasks from a trailer or an office. Civil engineers must design and supervise the infrastructure of a building. According to Glassdoor, a civil engineer makes, on average, $76,000 per year in the US. However, those who have learned skills like 3D simulation or know how to take advantage of 3D printing have better salaries.

To make over $100,000 per year, you could learn how to build VR solutions. Nowadays, virtual reality has been widely used in the residential construction industry to offer homeowners better services. For example, imagine that you want to see the home of your dreams before starting the construction process. Using VR solutions, civil engineers, architects, and construction companies can offer digital tours to make customers feel engaged.

You can learn how to code by enrolling in an online coding bootcamp. In 2020, they became very popular because they have helped jobless workers increase their chances of getting employed. Since education is today’s currency, learning software engineering skills is also an excellent choice. Hence, you should visit Computer Science Hero and see what you need to become a self-sufficient developer.

Plumber

Becoming a plumber is a great choice because they have great earning potential without having a degree. However, plumbers who attend vocational schools can stand out from the competition and are more likely to earn higher salaries. In 2020, the typical salary of a plumber with no degree was $52,000 per year. In the residential construction sector, they are responsible for installing and repairing water supply lines. Plumbers often have a steady income because the job requires a lot of time for maintenance. This makes this job very attractive to candidates who want to achieve financial stability. A good plumber needs a strong mechanical aptitude and excellent problem-solving skills. Otherwise, they may be taken out of the competition.

Electrician

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians will have a 10 percent job growth rate between 2018 and 2028. This makes the job one of the most desirable roles in the residential construction sector. Electricians must be natural problem-solvers because, during their daily work lives, they will face a lot of issues. As they are responsible for installing, designing, and maintaining the electrical wiring of homes, they require high standards of quality and safety. Additionally, they need fantastic customer-interfacing skills because they often have to deal with clients.

The average salary of an electrician is $23.78 per hour according to Indeed. But, once you have a couple of years of experience under your belt, you can expect much higher salaries. Because of the job requirements, you need to get certified or licensed to become an electrician. In that case, you should consider joining a technical school and get some hands-on training.

Conclusion

In general, residential construction careers are an excellent alternative for those who like to be in the field. Nevertheless, if you prefer to be in an office, there are still a wide range of alternatives. Since new technologies have transformed the way we work, no matter what career you choose, you will need to learn new technical skills. Otherwise, you may be left behind and won’t be able to be a part of the future of work. Also, don’t forget that education is vital to get better salaries and job opportunities in the industry.

María Elena González is a broadcast journalist and has been working as a tech writer for almost three years. During this time, her work has been published by companies like TechAccute, Trip University, and Entrepreneur. 

Career Karma helps over 1 million workers navigate their careers every month through advice and coaching.

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