6 Highest-Paying Professional Careers in the Construction Industry

Are you planning to pursue a career in the construction industry? Discover more about these six highest-paying jobs in this sector and what you should expect in this profession.

Aside from the manual laborers handling the heavy work of construction sites, the industry offers well-compensated career opportunities for construction professionals. Explore some of the high-paying job options within the construction sector.

(Photo : Pixabay/Borko Manigoda)

1. Chief Estimator ($129,000-$171,000 per year)

The primary responsibility of a chief estimator is to create financial budgets and forecasts to submit bids for a building or design project. Employees in this position consider a wide range of aspects when developing an estimate, such as the cost of building materials, labor, transportation, applicable fees and tariffs, and the profit margin. The primary estimator may also employ software analysis or review of prior estimates as predictive tools.

2. Pipeline Integrity Engineer ($129,000-$167,000 per year)

Assuring that pipeline operations comply with norms and requirements for safety, quality, and legality is one of the primary responsibilities of a pipeline integrity engineer. The activities that you may be expected to undertake as a pipeline integrity engineer include creating technical reports, the performance of inspections for pipelines that carry oil, gas, or other liquids, and evaluating pipeline processes under real-world conditions. Accordingly, you're expected to perform cost-effective inspections and tests. To fulfill your job responsibilities, you must avoid having a negative impact on the pipeline's operations.

3. Architect ($91,000-$166,000 per year)

Buildings are designed by architects, who are legally licensed professionals. From the time a project is conceived to the time it is finished being built, it is the responsibility of an architect to oversee its progress. They must comply with all safety standards and construction codes while at the same time meeting the requirements of the customers who hire them. This profession influences every single part of a structure. They play a significant role in the project's beginning stages, including the building site selection, the preparation of cost analysis and budgeting plans, and the mediation between the client and the construction team. Thus, assuring the accurate and efficient execution of the intended design is a critical duty that relies upon the architect.

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4. Stress Engineer ($117,500-$161,000 per year)

Stress engineers produce models utilizing diverse materials and execute stress tests to determine the structural capacity to withstand strain. As part of your responsibilities, you will be responsible for comprehensively analyzing your test cases and reporting your findings to other engineers, architects, and facility managers. Stress engineer employment is available in various industries, including the aerospace and aviation industry, the automotive industry, the medical industry, the nuclear power industry, and the plastics industry. Nevertheless, you spend most of your time in a laboratory constructing prototypes from various materials to determine which materials and designs can endure the most pressure.

5. Construction Lawyer ($86,009 to $109,260 per year)

Regarding matters concerning the construction business, construction lawyers are legal specialists who specialize in the field. Among their areas of specialization are the negotiation of contracts, the resolution of disputes, and the guaranteeing of conformity with applicable rules and regulations. Building companies and individuals participating in building projects might receive legal advice and representation from them during construction. Moreover, construction lawyers oversee the legal and contractual aspects of construction projects. They are responsible for preparing contracts, acting on behalf of clients, negotiating with authorities, helping clients resolve disputes, providing advice on asset purchasing, health and safety, and keeping track of progress.

6. Structural Engineer ($92,176 per year)

Structural engineers are experts in a particular field related to structures' design and analysis, ensuring that these structures are both stable and safe. While developing plans and specifications, they work directly with construction teams and architects. Buildings and structures that are safe and long-lasting are the responsibility of structural engineers, who are closely related to civil engineers and are responsible for designing and producing them. In addition, they are predominantly employed by construction consultancies or contractors, concentrating on infrastructure or projects such as structures and bridges. 

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