Home
Majors
Construction
Building/Construction Finishing

TRADES Specialization

Building/Construction Finishing

Most Building/Construction Finishing programs take one to two years to complete. Graduates start earning $72,864 right after finishing, climbing to $90,924 four years out.

Explore Program

About Building/Construction Finishing

Building/Construction Finishing is a focused area of study within Construction. Graduates typically earn around $90,924 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 376 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 6,049 students complete this program each year, most earning a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $72,864
Median Earnings · 4yr: $90,924
Colleges Offering: 376
Graduates / Year: 6,049
Avg Net Price / yr: $10,569

How Much Do Building/Construction Finishing Graduates Earn?

Building/Construction Finishing graduates earn $90,924 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,807 and $105,984.

$72,864

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$90,924

4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$88,899

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Building/Construction Finishing graduates. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.

$71,807 25th pct.

$90,924 Median

$105,984 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $90,924 against an estimated $42,276 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 14 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 6,049 students who complete Building/Construction Finishing programs each year, the majority (46%) earn a certificate degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

46% 37%

Certificate 46%

Associate's 37%

Doctorate 10%

What Can You Do With a Building/Construction Finishing Degree?

Building/Construction Finishing connects to 5 occupations in the job market. Facilities Managers leads at $106,660/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +3.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Facilities Managers

$106,660

$82K $139K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 13,200 openings/yr 156K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Judgment and Decision Making Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations.

↗ +5.3% Zone 3: Medium preparation

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

$79,920

$63K $101K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 74,400 openings/yr 812K employed nationally

Coordination Active Listening Speaking Monitoring Time Management

Day-to-day responsibilities

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Inspect work progress, equipment, or construction sites to verify safety or to ensure that specifications are met.
Read specifications, such as blueprints, to determine construction requirements or to plan procedures.
Supervise, coordinate, or schedule the activities of construction or extractive workers.

↘ -0.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Construction and Building Inspectors

$74,690

$59K $95K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 14,800 openings/yr 147K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Speaking Critical Thinking Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.

↗ +2.1% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$64,950

$51K $81K 25th–75th pct.

Associate's degree 5,500 openings/yr 69K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Mathematics Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.
Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.

↗ +3.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Maintenance & Repair Worker

$49,590

$41K $63K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 159,800 openings/yr 1.5M employed nationally

Equipment Maintenance Repairing Troubleshooting Critical Thinking Active Learning

Day-to-day responsibilities

Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.

Perform routine maintenance, such as inspecting drives, motors, or belts, checking fluid levels, replacing filters, or doing other preventive maintenance actions.
Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.

Top Colleges for Building/Construction Finishing

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Building/Construction Finishing students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN · Public	121	Open	$7,258	$37,186
2	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX · Public	78	86.8%	$10,836	$57,131
3	Rowan University Glassboro, NJ · Public	56	77.7%	$22,408	$59,988
4	Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee Muskogee, OK · Public	52	Open	$4,895	$33,208
5	Wayne County Community College District Detroit, MI · Public	50	Open	$7,656	$29,079
6	Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LA · Public	44	Open	$10,773	$29,734
7	Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI · Public	42	Open	$3,249	$39,449
8	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NY · Public	41	75.7%	$15,016	$50,445
9	Central Community College Grand Island, NE · Public	38	Open	$7,024	$39,429
10	Pitt Community College Winterville, NC · Public	34	Open	$7,337	$37,259
11	Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE · Public	32	Open	$8,544	$42,634
12	Flint Hills Technical College Emporia, KS · Public	31	Open	$16,017	$47,007
13	Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT · Public	30	Open	$9,804	$47,867
14	San Jose City College San Jose, CA · Public	30	Open	$16,959	$46,215
15	Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC · Public	29	Open	$9,610	$38,654
16	New Castle School of Trades New Castle, PA · For-Profit	29	Open	$8,361	$44,814
17	Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC · Public	28	Open	$8,759	$41,769
18	Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public	28	Open	$14,435	$45,287
19	Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville, TN · Public	28	Open	$15,816	$38,955
20	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN · Public	27	Open	$6,631	$40,869

View all colleges

Ranked by Building/Construction Finishing graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Building/Construction Finishing program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Building/Construction Finishing 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.

Building/Construction Finishing Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Building/Construction Finishing a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS

Strong median salary Graduates earn $90,924 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +5.3% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 267,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $105,984, a strong ceiling for high performers.

CONS

Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Building/Construction Finishing Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Building/Construction Finishing graduates earn?

Building/Construction Finishing graduates earn a national median of $90,924 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,807 and $105,984. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Building/Construction Finishing degree?

One year after graduation, Building/Construction Finishing degree holders earn a median of $72,864. That climbs to $90,924 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Building/Construction Finishing degree?

Building/Construction Finishing degree holders pursue careers including Facilities Managers, which pays a median of $106,660/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Building/Construction Finishing program take?

Most Building/Construction Finishing certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.

How many colleges offer Building/Construction Finishing?

376 colleges and universities in the United States offer Building/Construction Finishing programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Building/Construction Finishing degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $90,924 and an average net price of roughly $10,569/yr, a Building/Construction Finishing degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Building/Construction Finishing and Construction?

Building/Construction Finishing is a focused concentration within the broader Construction field. The Construction major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Building/Construction Finishing-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Building/Construction Finishing graduates?

Employers hiring Building/Construction Finishing graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.

Is graduate school worth it for Building/Construction Finishing graduates?

With a median salary of $90,924, graduate study in Building/Construction Finishing 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 rewards an advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Building/Construction Finishing graduates?

The job outlook for Building/Construction Finishing graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +2.8% job growth over the next 10 years. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers is among the strongest-growth roles at +5.3%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.