Yes, engineering and construction is a good career path for young graduates and people interested in the infrastructural development of a place.
There are also many jobs available in the engineering and construction industry, according to indeed.com the average number of employees in the industry is estimated to be 745,000 with a profit of $1.4 trillion.
The industry is a high-paying one with a decent salary, the least worker in the engineering and construction industry can boast of an annual pay of $70,000.
The engineering & construction industry contributes a significant quota in the economy of the United States via GDP (gross domestic profit) and taxes generated by companies operating in the industry.
Having established that engineering & construction is a good career path, we would be listing all the benefits of working in the industry as well as skills needed to excel in this very competitive industry.
Examples of Engineering & Construction Industries
Engineering and construction is made up of numerous industries, these industries are filled with many high paying jobs which we would be mentioning in the later part of this article.
Below are some of the examples of engineering & construction industries:
- Building construction
- Architecture
- Heavy engineering
- HVAC
- Surveying
- Power infrastructure
- Interior designs
- Maintenance and repair
- Safety
- Renovation
- Landscaping
- Building components
- Trades
What Are The Benefits Of Working In Engineering & Construction?
The following are benefits of working in the engineering and construction industry.
Job Stability
The engineering and construction industry is one industry that has job security and stability, it is not a seasonal job.
As an employee in this industry you would be working all year round seeing you complete all tasks given to you before the deadline.
High Salary
This is another benefit of the industry, the pay is high. You can make a decent living working here.
Career Advancement
Working in the engineering & construction industry would give you opportunities to advance your career in order to be familiar with latest technologies and designs.
Companies always conduct workshops for there workers where they bring experts to educate them.
Health And Life Insurance
The industry is one of the few industries that gives you health and life insurance due to the nature of their jobs.
What Degree Do You Need to Pursue a Career in Engineering & Construction?
In order to pursue a career in engineering & construction you need an associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or any related field. Although you can also pursue some labor or technical job in this industry with a high school diploma.
Skills Needed for a Career in Engineering & Construction
Every high-paying industry needs specific skills to excel while working, the engineering & construction industry is no different from others. You need the following skills to succeed;
Communication Skills
Proper communication is needed for a successful career in the engineering industry, you would need to receive information from your client, process it and also relate to co-workers to properly deliver a job.
Mathematical skill
Mathematical skill is a must-have for every engineer or worker in the industry.
Engineering is the application of science, technology and mathematics, so mathematical skills are needed to measure and cut materials properly.
Problem-solving Skill
Engineering is all about solving problems of mankind, so you would need this skill to solve different types of problems you are faced with.
Leadership skills
You need to have the spirit of leadership to be able to command technicians and other people who are involved in executing a task or job.
Teamwork
Engineering is not a one man work, you would need to work with a team in order to deliver a job adequately.
CAD (Computer-aided design)
The engineering profession has gone digital, so for you to catch up with recent developments in the profession you should be able to use a computer to design blueprints using specific computer softwares.
Pressure Management
Employees working in the engineering & construction industry are meant to be able to manage pressure. While working you might experience some difficulties, so if you work without this skill you might be thrown off balance and may loose concentration.
Map Reading & Blueprints
Map and blueprints reading is also an essential skill while working in this industry.
Other important skills include
- Creativity
- Technical skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Project management skills
6 Highest Paying Jobs In Engineering & Construction Industry
These are some of the highest paying jobs in the construction industry that would aid your choice in picking a job.
1. Engineering Project Manager
Engineering project manager is the highest paying job in the construction industry.
There job is to supervise the daily tasks of other workers in the industry, they also give daily or weekly reports about the progress of their jobs.
Engineering project managers serve as the middle men between employers and workers in the industry.
According to salary.com the average annual salary of engineering project managers is $149.063.
2. Senior Civil Engineer
Senior civil engineer is another high paying job in the engineering & construction industry, their job is to supervise the building and construction of projects such as roads, rails, bridges, dams, sewage systems and airports.
They also supervise the planning and design of the above mentioned projects. According to salary.com the average annual earning of a senior civil engineer ranges from $95,423 to $120,033 annually.
3. Architect
Architects are skilled professionals that plan the structure and designs of buildings.
Architects are the brain behind all the beautiful and high rising buildings you see. They do all the mathematical calculations and measurements before civil engineers execute the project.
According to careerexplorer.com, architects working in the United States earn between $48,930 and $129,980 annually.
4. Building Engineer
Building engineers are people that are responsible for building and maintaining structures, they build both private and public structures.
A building engineer works under the direct supervision of a senior civil engineer, according to Zippia.com the average annual earnings of a building engineer is between $50,000 and $105,000.
5. Land Surveyor
Land surveyors are also among the highest-paying job in engineering and construction, they are in charge of pre-construction works before a structure is raised.
They measure lands to get the actual size and positions before construction is carried out.
According to glassdoor the average annual salary of land surveyors ranges between $100,000 to 414,000.
6. Civil Drafter
Civil drafters transform sketches to actual designs using computer aided softwares such as AUTOCAD.
According to Ziprecruiter the average annual salary of a civil drafter falls between $33,000 to $66,000.
FAQs
What Type Of Engineering Has The Most Job Opportunities?
Civil engineering has the most job opportunities, followed by mechanical engineering.
Which Engineering Is Best For The Future?
The following engineering professions are regarded as the best for the future.
- Mechatronics engineering
- Robotics engineering
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Aerospace Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Telecommunication Engineering
Is Engineering A Secure Job?
Yes, engineering is a secure job with enough job stability. The industry is also among the highest paying professional industries.
Conclusion
Engineering & construction industry is a good career path for graduates, it has been the brain behind many infrastructure developments like bridges, high-rising building and roads.
References
brightoncollege.com – Top 10 Highest Paying Civil Engineering Careers
simplicable.com – 22 Examples of the Construction Industry
