TRADES
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TRADES
Construction
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Construction
Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and masonry — the skilled trades building America's infrastructure, with union wages and persistent labor shortages driving strong demand. Graduates earn a national median of $90,924 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 908 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 46,111 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $72,864
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $90,924
- Colleges Offering
- 908
- Graduates / Year
- 46,111
- Specializations
- 1
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $13,514
Is a Construction Degree Right for You?
$90,924
Median earnings · 4yr
+3.8%
10yr job growth
1
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~0.9
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $90,924 against an estimated $54,056 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Construction Majors Earn?
Construction graduates start at a median $72,864 one year out and reach $90,924 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 908 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$72,864
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$90,924
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$90,691
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Construction specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $93,761/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $90,924/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$90,924
Lowest
$90,924
Median
$93,761
Highest
What Can You Do With a Construction Degree?
Career Paths for Construction Graduates
Construction connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Facilities Managers leads in median earnings at $106,660/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Facilities Managers
Bachelor's degree
$106,660
↗ +3.8% growth
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Postsecondary nondegree award
$103,020
↗ +5.5% growth
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
High school diploma or equivalent
$92,460
↗ +1.7% growth
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
High school diploma or equivalent
$79,920
↗ +5.3% growth
Mechanic Supervisors
High school diploma or equivalent
$79,860
↗ +3.1% growth
Construction and Building Inspectors
High school diploma or equivalent
$74,690
↘ -0.8% growth
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Associate's degree
$64,950
↗ +2.1% growth
Plumber & Pipefitter
High school diploma or equivalent
$63,800
↗ +4.5% growth
Construction Specializations
Construction spans 7 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $90,924 to $93,761 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Construction
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Construction graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,258
Earnings 10yr
$37,186
Grad rate
15%
2
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,800
Earnings 10yr
$35,798
Grad rate
25%
3
Community College of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$13,970
Earnings 10yr
$39,449
Grad rate
17%
4
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$13,508
Earnings 10yr
$38,916
Grad rate
28%
5
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park
Melrose Park, IL · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$25,598
Earnings 10yr
$38,683
Grad rate
67%
6
Southern California Institute of Technology
Anaheim, CA · For-Profit
Acceptance
74.2%
Net price/yr
$33,392
Earnings 10yr
$53,598
Grad rate
76%
7
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$3,537
Earnings 10yr
$34,242
Grad rate
21%
8
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,143
Earnings 10yr
$36,143
Grad rate
18%
9
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,525
Earnings 10yr
$32,303
Grad rate
22%
10
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$12,323
Earnings 10yr
$35,233
Grad rate
11%
11
Honolulu Community College
Honolulu, HI · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,458
Earnings 10yr
$45,105
Grad rate
18%
12
Northshore Technical Community College
Lacombe, LA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$10,773
Earnings 10yr
$29,734
Grad rate
20%
13
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,886
Earnings 10yr
$37,962
Grad rate
17%
14
San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario
Ontario, CA · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$27,024
Earnings 10yr
$38,317
Grad rate
68%
15
Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell, SD · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$13,460
Earnings 10yr
$50,743
Grad rate
67%
16
San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula
Temecula, CA · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$25,869
Earnings 10yr
$38,317
Grad rate
68%
17
Gateway Community and Technical College
Florence, KY · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$5,725
Earnings 10yr
$36,147
Grad rate
24%
18
State Technical College of Missouri
Linn, MO · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$15,190
Earnings 10yr
$55,901
Grad rate
65%
19
San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto
Salida, CA · For-Profit
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$26,706
Earnings 10yr
$38,317
Grad rate
68%
20
Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$2,129
Earnings 10yr
$44,956
Grad rate
3%
Ranked by number of Construction graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Construction Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Construction degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Construction degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Construction Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth put Construction above most majors on the key financial metrics. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS, not editorial scoring.
PROS
- Strong median salary Graduates earn a national median of $90,924 four years after graduation, above most major categories.
- Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +5.5% job growth over the next decade per BLS data.
- Wide availability Offered at 908 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $93,761, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
CONS
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
Construction Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Construction graduates earn?
Construction graduates earn a national median of $90,924 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Construction degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Construction degree holders is $72,864 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Construction degree?
Construction degree holders work in a range of careers. Facilities Managers is one of the top roles by median wage ($106,660/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Construction?
908 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Construction, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Construction degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $90,924 and an average net price of roughly $13,514/yr across institutions offering this major, a Construction degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Construction degree?
Construction programs range from two-year associate degrees to four-year bachelor's programs. Many students also enter through apprenticeships, which can provide an accelerated path into the field.
What skills do employers look for in Construction graduates?
Employers hiring Construction graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, hands-on problem-solving, and equipment operation. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Construction graduates?
With a median salary of $90,924, graduate study in Construction can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Construction graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Construction graduates is moderate, with an average of +3.2% projected growth across related occupations. Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay is among the strongest-growth roles at +5.5%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
The Sweet Spot: Majors With High Pay and High Growth
Only 12 of 38 college majors clear both an above-median salary and above-median job growth. Two of them, math and computer science, stand alone with double-digit growth.
- Job growth
- Major earnings
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- STEM majors
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
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