Construction jobs
The residential and nonresidential construction industries are sensitive to changes in the economy.
Because of this, the employment of construction laborers and helpers can vary from year to year. However, overall job opportunities should be good because many workers leave this occupation each year.
Employment growth depends mainly on the level of new construction activity, which in turn depends largely on the economy’s health. As the economy improves and more people have jobs, there will be more demand for new homes, office buildings, factories, and other structures or improvements. In downturns in the economy, construction employment is often one of the first sectors cut back by employers.
Older buildings will require maintenance and repairs. Moreover, environmental regulations may require some buildings to be demolished and rebuilt or modernized to meet current safety standards. All these factors should lead to job growth for construction laborers and helpers.
The need to rebuild roads, bridges and other public infrastructure should help sustain employment growth in this occupation. In addition, federal legislation that aims to make energy-efficient improvements to existing buildings—and to build new energy-efficient buildings—is expected to spur demand for construction companies.
Is there a shortage of construction workers in the US?
Construction workers are in short supply, just as the housing market is booming. Americans are leaving cities in droves and moving to the suburbs, where they are buying spacious new homes that need to be built.
In 2020, construction laborers earned an average hourly wage of $20.92 and an average annual wage of $43,520, according to the BLS. This compares favorably with the average American worker’s salary of $26.53 per hour or $55,220 per year.
However, according to the BLS, construction laborers make up one of the largest occupational groups in the U.S., with about 1 million people employed as of May 2020. The job typically requires only a high school diploma or equivalent. Construction laborers are paid an average annual wage of $43,520, more than twice what they made a decade ago.
The pay increase comes as the country suffers from a labor shortage amid record-low unemployment rates. Many workers have quit their jobs to seek higher wages and more desirable work conditions elsewhere, leaving employers scrambling to fill vacancies and even offering bonuses to attract new hires.
What is the job outlook for construction?
As the housing market continues to recover and construction activity expands over the coming decade, employment in the construction industry is projected to grow by 6% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be best for those who have completed a training program in heavy equipment operation or crane operation.
Construction managers, contractors, and electricians are among the highest-paid construction trades, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many of these positions require formal training or apprenticeships.
What can your construction company win in this market?
Construction is a highly competitive field, with many companies competing for a small number of jobs. There’s not much room for error, so every dollar spent needs to work as hard as possible for your business.
What does that mean for your digital marketing strategy? It means you need to think carefully about how you’re going to spend your marketing budget and what channels you should use to reach potential customers.
But how do you do that?
The first step is understanding how people search for construction services online. Then you can use this information to create a marketing strategy that drives results and generates leads.
A good digital marketing strategy will help you craft a solid action plan and make the most out of your existing resources. By taking the time to evaluate your current situation, you will be able to determine what areas need improvement and which are performing well. Once you know where you stand in relation to your competitors, it will be easier for you to develop the steps necessary for success.
See how you can leverage marketing for your construction company and be ahead of the curve!
