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Does construction make enough to have a good living?
in different places it's more expensive to live but say in a big place like San Jose
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5 answers
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Scott’s Answer
Working in construction you can absolutely make a good living!
Be willing to listen, get dirty, learn and show up on time! You can make a great living with or without going to college!
Go to work for a good reputable company , pick a trade you like, carpentry/finish carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall finishing. Concrete finishing, tile installation, carpet laying, siding and gutters, brick laying.
A lot of it isn’t glamorous and you will be tired at the end of the day but you will feel satisfied you did a good days work!
Be willing to listen, get dirty, learn and show up on time! You can make a great living with or without going to college!
Go to work for a good reputable company , pick a trade you like, carpentry/finish carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall finishing. Concrete finishing, tile installation, carpet laying, siding and gutters, brick laying.
A lot of it isn’t glamorous and you will be tired at the end of the day but you will feel satisfied you did a good days work!
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Ty,
Good question! Construction jobs can provide a solid income, but the cost of living, especially in places like San Jose, can significantly impact how far that income goes. In San Jose, living expenses are high, particularly due to housing costs. Here's a general breakdown of how construction jobs stack up:
Income:
- General construction workers in San Jose typically make between $40,000 to $60,000 annually.
- Skilled tradespeople (e.g., electricians, carpenters, plumbers) can earn anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000+ depending on their specialization and experience.
- Construction managers or those in leadership roles can make well over $100,000 annually.
Cost of Living in San Jose:
- Housing: Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Jose can range from $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Owning a home is even more expensive, with median home prices over $1 million.
- Other costs: Utilities, groceries, and transportation tend to be pricier than the national average.
Quality of Life:
- If you are a general construction worker, it might be harder to live comfortably in San Jose without budgeting carefully.
- For skilled tradespeople or those in supervisory positions, a higher salary can offer a better standard of living, but housing costs remain a significant factor.
In short, skilled construction workers and those in management can have a good living in a place like San Jose, but general workers may struggle unless they have additional sources of income or live outside the city to save on housing.
Best wishes!
Good question! Construction jobs can provide a solid income, but the cost of living, especially in places like San Jose, can significantly impact how far that income goes. In San Jose, living expenses are high, particularly due to housing costs. Here's a general breakdown of how construction jobs stack up:
Income:
- General construction workers in San Jose typically make between $40,000 to $60,000 annually.
- Skilled tradespeople (e.g., electricians, carpenters, plumbers) can earn anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000+ depending on their specialization and experience.
- Construction managers or those in leadership roles can make well over $100,000 annually.
Cost of Living in San Jose:
- Housing: Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Jose can range from $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Owning a home is even more expensive, with median home prices over $1 million.
- Other costs: Utilities, groceries, and transportation tend to be pricier than the national average.
Quality of Life:
- If you are a general construction worker, it might be harder to live comfortably in San Jose without budgeting carefully.
- For skilled tradespeople or those in supervisory positions, a higher salary can offer a better standard of living, but housing costs remain a significant factor.
In short, skilled construction workers and those in management can have a good living in a place like San Jose, but general workers may struggle unless they have additional sources of income or live outside the city to save on housing.
Best wishes!
Updated
Mary’s Answer
Ty, there are so many variables it's hard to give you the answer. Some trades pay better than others, because they require more skill or have less people in them or it may be that jobs are for Road Warriors and requires a lot of travel. See next steps for a reference tool to help you understand differences.
I think when you're younger it's easier to take the road warrior jobs and travel and make a lot of money for a few years and gain experience. Most of these positions are in project management, superintendents, scheduling, piping (especially welders) and some specialty trades.
When you're done with traveling you can find something local for less money when you are settling down.
If you don't want to travel, you're restricted to local market demand and pay can vary greatly depending on which industry you're in...Residential, Commercial (there are sub sets here too) and Industrial. Industrial work usually pays most and can also provide additional avenues to get into working for the actual Owner Facility, which can be very beneficial.
Check out www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm
Register to Indeed.com and set up job alerts for jobs you're interested in to see what is available in specific areas and what they're paying (if that is shared)
I think when you're younger it's easier to take the road warrior jobs and travel and make a lot of money for a few years and gain experience. Most of these positions are in project management, superintendents, scheduling, piping (especially welders) and some specialty trades.
When you're done with traveling you can find something local for less money when you are settling down.
If you don't want to travel, you're restricted to local market demand and pay can vary greatly depending on which industry you're in...Residential, Commercial (there are sub sets here too) and Industrial. Industrial work usually pays most and can also provide additional avenues to get into working for the actual Owner Facility, which can be very beneficial.
Mary recommends the following next steps:
Updated
James’s Answer
Ty, you can make a very good living in the construction industry, and there are so many different professions in the industry itself. I will tell you that construction can be a tough business. Starting out in this business can be especially rough and regardless of the avenue you pick, it will take several years to become proficient at your chosen craft. I started out 26 years ago as a construction laborer, then found my way into a couple of different trades, then got into construction management. In my management career I went from being an assistant superintendent to superintendent to assistant project manager to project manager. As a project manager in Florida I made around $140k year. I'm now a state licensed general contractor in Florida and started my own company two years ago. Starting my own business has been the hardest thing I've ever done and almost starved to death keeping it going; however, it's now starting to pay off. The one thing that you have to remember is that construction is a cyclical business and you may not always have work depending on how stable the economy is at any given time.
Updated
John’s Answer
Depends on what kind of construction and where. Do your homework and whatever you choose, make sure you like it at least a little bit and especially the people around you.