Last updated on October 4, 2017
Construction jobs are in demand in north Texas, with expected employment growth of 27 percent by 2024, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. This surge affects all areas of construction, including (but not limited to) areas like: electrical technology, plumbing, air conditioning and refrigeration technology, carpentry and welding.
Do Construction Jobs Pay Well?
This rising demand is also a significant part of what makes Construction Technology programs like the one at DCCCD so important. Students can develop specialty construction skills in areas like residential building, field engineering, commercial HVAC systems, pipe fitting and plumbing. These programs allow students to quickly get started in high-demand careers, and the numbers don’t lie — you can make a living wage in Texas at nearly any of them!
| Job Title | Annual Mean Wage in Texas |
|---|---|
| Carpenters | $38,000 |
| Construction laborers | $30,400 |
| Painters, construction and maintenance | $35,040 |
| Plumbers, pipe fitters and steamfitters | $46,100 |
| Construction and building inspectors | $55,550 |
| Construction managers | $96,870 |
| Construction and extraction occupations | $42,590 |
| First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers | $68,740 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $40,090 |
| Helpers, construction trades, all other | $33,030 |
| Construction and related workers, all other | $35,230 |
Additionally, construction and building inspectors in north Texas make an average starting salary of about $34,000, with 200 of these jobs added in the last three years.
Do Construction Workers Need Training?
Yep! You can learn the necessary skills to work in construction when you study Construction Technology at North Lake College in Irving. Choose from the following options to get training in the construction job of your choice:
- The Construction Technology Associate in Applied Sciences Degree can be completed in two years as a full-time student. Specialized tracks include: carpentry, field engineering, commercial HVAC, pipe fitting and commercial plumbing.
- The Residential Construction Certificate can be completed in two semesters. There are two specialty options: Commercial Carpentry and Residential Builder/Contractor.
- The Surveying Certificate can be completed in two semesters.
North Lake College also offers, in partnership with the Construction Education Foundation (CEF) of North Texas:
- The Commercial Construction Certificate is an apprenticeship program that has been nationally approved by the National Center for Construction Education Center and Research (NCCER). CEF commercial construction trade craft apprenticeships include carpentry, commercial electrical, field engineering, commercial HVAC, pipefitting and commercial plumbing.
You Can Become Qualified for Dallas Construction Jobs in Two Years or Less — Apply for Admission Today!
More Information
- While you’re at it, be sure to check out some of our other construction related programs — you really have a lot of options to choose from!
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