Construction
The Construction Career Cluster focuses on professions involved in designing, planning, managing, and executing projects in the built environment.
What this cluster covers
- Definition
- The Construction Career Cluster focuses on professions involved in designing, planning, managing, and executing projects in the built environment. It emphasizes sustainable building practices to ensure that structures are both environmentally responsible and resilient. Careers in this Cluster are pivotal in creating durable infrastructure that meets present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own, covering a range of roles from architects and engineers to construction managers and skilled tradespeople.
Advance CTE
Construction Career ClusterAdvance CTE- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Careers in this cluster
Entry education, license and BLS pay and outlook for every career page in this cluster. Each career page shows what the job is and links its step-by-step roadmap.
| Career | Typical entry | License | Median pay, May 2025 | Outlook 2025–35 | Career page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Architecture & Civil Engineering |
Bachelor's degree | For some roles Engineering (PE) license |
$100,840 Civil engineers |
+6% BLSOccupational Outlook HandbookU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
|
Open: Civil Engineering |
| Electrician Skilled Trades |
High school diploma or equivalent | Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed. | $63,190 | +9% BLSElectricians — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Electrician |
| Plumber Skilled Trades |
High school diploma or equivalent | Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed. | $63,800 | +7% BLSPlumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Plumber |
| HVAC technician Skilled Trades |
Postsecondary nondegree award (certificate) | Some states and localities require a license; the EPA requires nearly all HVAC technicians to be certified in refrigerant handling. | $61,010 | +11% BLSHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: HVAC technician |
| Carpenter Skilled Trades |
High school diploma or equivalent | No license named for workers; carpenters must pass the OSHA 10-hour safety course, and contractors are licensed by the state. | $60,580 | +4% BLSCarpenters — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Carpenter |
| Sheet metal worker Skilled Trades |
High school diploma or equivalent | Some states require licenses for sheet metal workers. | $61,800 | +3% BLSSheet Metal Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Sheet metal worker |
| Ironworker Skilled Trades |
High school diploma or equivalent | No license named; certifications in welding, rigging and crane signaling help with hiring. | $61,910 | +1% BLSIronworkers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Ironworker |
| Construction laborer and helper Skilled Trades |
No formal credential (some employers prefer a high school diploma) | Employers often require OSHA-based safety certification. | $46,680 | +6% BLSConstruction Laborers and Helpers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Construction laborer and helper |
| Elevator and escalator installer Skilled Trades |
High school diploma or equivalent | Most states require elevator and escalator installers and repairers to be licensed. | $109,910 | +6% BLSElevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Elevator and escalator installer |
| Heavy equipment operator Equipment Operation & Maintenance |
High school diploma or equivalent | Often a commercial driver's license; a few states license backhoe, loader and bulldozer operators. | $59,600 construction equipment operators |
+4% BLSConstruction Equipment Operators — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Heavy equipment operator |
| Construction Manager Construction Planning & Development |
Bachelor's degree | Some states | $114,990 Construction managers |
+9% BLSConstruction Managers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Construction Manager |
| Architect Architecture & Civil Engineering |
Bachelor's degree | Required Architecture license |
$99,280 Architects, except landscape and naval |
+4% BLSArchitects — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Architect |
Pay is the BLS median for the occupation named under it, for May 2025; half of workers earned more, half less. For comparison, BLS projects all U.S. jobs to grow 3.5% over 2025–35. The career's sub-cluster comes from Advance CTE's SOC crosswalk.
Also in this cluster
Advance CTE places some occupations in more than one cluster. These careers have their page under another cluster, and the crosswalk puts them here too.
- Welder Production & Automation
- Solar photovoltaic installer Clean & Alternative Energy
Sub-clusters and example programs
Major groupings of career areas within a given field that have similar skills as defined by industry area. The programs are Advance CTE's examples of school and college programs of study; what is offered varies by state.
-
Architecture & Civil Engineering
Careers combining the planning, design, and drafting of infrastructure, structures, and landscapes with the application of technical expertise through architecture and civil and structural engineering.
Example programs Architectural Design · Drafting · Landscape Architecture
-
Construction Planning & Development
Careers emphasizing the critical initial stages of construction and development projects, including preconstruction activities, property development, and land use planning.
Example programs Construction Management · Surveying
-
Equipment Operation & Maintenance
Careers skilled in managing and servicing the heavy equipment and machinery that are essential for building and infrastructure projects.
Example programs Diesel Mechanics · Heavy Machine Operation
-
Skilled Trades
Careers focused on skilled work that is essential to constructing, maintaining, and repairing buildings and infrastructure including carpentry; welding; masonry; electrical; plumbing; and heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R).
Example programs Carpentry · Electrical Systems · Green Construction · HVAC-R · Welding Technology
Closely connected clusters
Advance CTE, from national labor market data: this cluster is most closely connected to these clusters. Advance CTE
View source
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Arts, Entertainment, & Design
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Supply Chain & Transportation
Every cluster with its sub-clusters, and which hubs are open.