At first glance a construction job site may appear filled with the same type of workers doing similar types of jobs.  But on every work site, the people underneath the hard hats make up a diverse team possessing varying skills, titles, responsibilities and pay scales.

In this guide to construction job titles and descriptions, we paint a picture of the construction industry job title hierarchy, detail the most common construction job titles and descriptions in both commercial and residential settings, discuss the skills and preparation needed to pursue each and outline the average annual salaries for each one. 

Whether you are experienced in the construction business, or considering a career in the field, this guide can help you decide which construction company job titles fit your aptitude and skills. There are many possible roles. In 2021, the construction industry employed nearly 7.5 million in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual pay for construction work in 2020 was $48,610, which is higher than the median annual pay of $41,950 for all occupations in the U.S., the BLS reports. Overall, employment in the industry is expected to grow at 4 %  through 2029, about the same rate as the average for most fields. 

Geraldine Smith, owner of All Inclusive Construction, knows firsthand about the need for more people to join the construction industry. “My biggest challenge is finding people,” she says. “They’re expecting about 41% of the current construction workforce to start aging out and retiring over the next 5 or 10 years. Construction is something that there’s always going to be a need for. Even as the economy ebbs and flows, there are still going to be times when people have leaks and have to repair their bathroom. There are still going to be times when there are storms or natural disasters and people have to fix their house. Whether it’s feast or famine, there’s still work in this industry.”

With so many opportunities, the hardest part may be choosing from all the possibilities when it comes to job titles in construction. Read on as we break them down for you. 

What is the Hierarchy of Construction Job Titles?

The roles in the hierarchy of the construction industry fall into three general categories: Upper Management, Middle Management and a wide range of construction workers and laborers.

Upper Management: Those in this highest supervisory role are typically involved in the initial  planning and design of a project, overseeing those in middle management roles.

Middle Management: The day to day supervision of a job and the job site falls to these construction supervisors who are likely to be with the project from start to finish.

Construction Workers: Whether they are specialty workers in the trades such as plumbers, electricians, or the general laborers, who do digging, building, and site prep work, these employees perform the physical labor on a construction site. 

Common Construction Worker Job Titles

Job titles on a construction site range from those you can learn on the job to those that require advanced degrees and expertise. The following are some of the most common construction job titles, what each role entails and the average salaries. 

Construction Foreperson Supervises the field construction of a project, including its organization, planning, and scheduling, in order to complete the work on time, within budget, and to code and the quality specified. They lead the work crew, manage the workers and oversee productivity.  They may manage the budget, train workers and be the communication liaison between workers and the project managers. Average Annual Salary: $57,500

Construction Assistant Construction assistants help organize and manage project sites, taking on a wide variety of tasks. They help with all aspects of building  projects and work under the foreperson. They may help prepare job sites by laying tarps and setting ups scaffolding, they work alongside tradespeople and may help provide cost estimates with details provided by the engineers and architects. Average Annual Salary: $41,840  

Equipment Operator/Manager Equipment operators drive construction vehicles including cranes, excavators, and dump trucks. They may also be responsible for maintaining the equipment and assuring it is safe and that the operation follows all safety guidelines. Average Annual Salary: $50,000

Inspector Responsible for verifying that the work site and structures built meet building and zoning laws, inspectors visit the site regularly. They have the power to issue citations, and warnings for violations and can even order work halted if there are significant violations or safety hazards. Average Annual Salary: $50,000 

General Laborer This is a physically demanding job. Work may include assembling scaffolding, clearing debris from the job site, directing traffic, unloading materials and operating tools such as jack hammers. Average Annual Salary: $37,520  

Scheduler A scheduler manages the timing of projects by maintaining timelines, handling team schedules and creating status reports. Average Annual Salary: $64,430

Field Engineer This construction worker job title typically requires a college degree and several years of experience. The field engineer ensures that all project specifications are met, and verifies that every stage meets relevant ordinances and regulations. They report on the project progress and status and may direct work crews. Average Annual Salary: $67,900

Estimator Estimators use sketches, blueprints, proposals and other documents to prepare estimates of the schedule of the project and the labor and material that will be required. They ensure that the budget allocated for the project is sufficient to complete it and often set up procedures to monitor costs. Average Annual Salary: $69,420

Surveyor  Responsible for taking exact measurements of property boundaries, surveyors are relied upon in the industry to determine the best locations for roads and pathways and other key elements of a project. They measure the distance and angle between points, use known points of reference to determine the precise location of significant land features and may also research land records to determine where boundaries are. Average Annual Salary: $72,470

Building Services Director They oversee the design, and installation of basic, essential services in buildings such as utilities, lighting, heating and air conditioning, elevators and security systems. Average Annual Salary: $76,180

Assistant Project Manager Supporting the project manager, these assistants write up and finalize contracts, procure necessary materials, manage the budget and enforce safety measures. Average Annual Salary: $76,980

Senior Construction Manager These managers report to the project manager and are responsible for supervising the construction team, and communicating with suppliers and other service providers. Also known as site managers, they typically take on tasks such as tracking material orders, coordinating schedules and hiring subcontractors. Average Annual Salary: $98,890

Civil Engineer Licensed as a professional engineer, a civil engineer plans, designs and maintains infrastructure projects such as roads, dams, airports and bridges. They estimate any environmental impacts a project may have and determine the types of materials needed to carry out the project. Average Annual Salary: $88,050

Architect As the designers of buildings, architects have a big impact on the project and work closely with the construction team while the project is being built. They create design plans and illustrate them with models, renderings and sketches. They must be licensed and typically have the minimum of a four-year degree in architecture. Average Annual Salary: $80,180

Project Manager These managers oversee the project from design through completion and work to keep it on schedule and within budget. They supervise others such as the construction manager and set project benchmarks and timelines. Average Annual Salary: $85,780

Safety Manager/Health and Safety Specialist With the goal of keeping the job site safe for workers and reducing the risk of injuries, the safety specialist educates employees on how to improve the health and safety of the job site. They manage and mitigate risks and ensure the site complies with all health and safety regulations. Average Annual Salary: $85,930

Superintendent The superintendent hires employees, manages schedules, enforces safety measures, approves the work of sub contractors, and performs many other tasks related to the management of day-to-day operations on a job site. Average Annual Salary: $88,270

Structural Engineer With a bachelor’s or master’s degree in structural or civil engineering, these engineers address the structural integrity of buildings, bridges, roads and other construction projects. They also make plans to maintain and reinforce structures over the long run. Average Annual Salary: $89,040

Construction Engineer This construction worker job title is similar to that of a civil engineer, but construction engineers are typically on site overseeing the construction of projects such as roads and utilities. They design, plan and manage infrastructure projects. Average Annual Salary: $99,940

Safety Engineer With experience and education in construction and health sciences, a safety engineer designs systems to create safe working conditions for construction teams and the environment. They assess potential risks and ensure that the projects comply with laws, regulations, permits and inspections. Average Annual Salary: $100,195

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installers In increasing demand, these are the workers who install solar panels on residential and commercial buildings. They learn the skills on the job, through apprenticeships or courses. Average Annual Salary: $47,670

Subcontractors (Skilled Construction Workers)

Every construction project also includes a crew of skilled construction workers trained in a particular trade. Here are some common ones:

Electricians install, maintain and repair the electrical systems in buildings and many states require them to be licensed in the trade. Median Pay: $60,040

Plumbers install and maintain pipes, drainage systems, fitting and fixtures. Median Pay: $59,880

Painters paint the interior and exterior of the structures.. Median Pay: $45,990

Carpenters build wooden structures such as cabinets and door and window frames. Median Pay: $48,260

Joiners craft wood structures such as staircases and doors, working closely with carpenters. Median Pay $33,590

Pipefitters attach pipes to walls and other structures. Median Pay: $59,880.

Welders assemble, fuse, attach and fabricate metal structures. Median Pay: $47,010

Drywall Installers fasten and install drywall sheets during building construction. Median Pay: $48,350

Roofers prepare, install and maintain roofs. Median Pay: $47,110

Common Residential Construction Work Titles

Since there are significant differences between working in commercial and residential construction, those interested in working in the field make a choice of which path to take in their careers. Residential construction of single and multi-family dwellings involves lower start-up and material costs, smaller work crews, shorter project timelines and fewer regulations than commercial construction.  

Key Differences Between Residential and Commercial Construction

Since most residential homes are framed in wood compared to the steel structures of commercial buildings, for example, the material costs are lower as well as the equipment needed during construction. And, because residential construction involves smaller projects, you can expect to work closer to home and on more projects in a year. Commercial construction projects take several months or years to complete and in the case of massive-scale projects such as stadiums, bridges, multi-story office buildings, this often means that the crew must travel far from home to work every day or even stay in hotels to be closer to their work site. 

Finding Your Place in the Construction Field

The complexities of commercial construction in the planning, building and legal intricacies are also something to consider when deciding where your preferences lie, especially if you are considering eventually opening your own business. Residential construction provides an easier startup than commercial although the latter can also provide strong profits in the long run. The work crews in residential construction are typically smaller than in commercial construction and do not include civil and safety engineers, for example, but many of the construction job titles are the same such as architect, foreperson and a variety of tradespeople. 

These include subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers, painters, carpenters, drywall installers, and more. 

No matter what route you choose, doing your homework on the differences between the two types of construction scenarios and the variety of construction job titles will help you pick the one that fits you best.

Last Word on Construction Job Titles

The construction industry employs millions of people in the United States and provides a wide variety of opportunities for those interested in joining the field or advancing from their current construction role. Many of these skills can be learned on the job and through apprenticeships while others require college degrees, special training and several years of experience.  To keep learning which professional development route could be for you, check out our guide on the Top Construction Schools or learn more about the Best Construction Certifications.

Matching up your aptitude, experience and work environment preferences to the varied list of construction job titles and descriptions can help you choose a construction career you will thrive in for years to come.