Construction Trades graduates pursue 1 occupations, with top roles paying $79,920/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
This page covers Construction Trades as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Construction and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Construction Trades is a focused area of study within Construction. You will not have trouble finding it: 115 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,597 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Colleges Offering
115
Graduates / Year
2,597
Avg Net Price / yr
$9,069
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,597 students who complete Construction Trades programs each year, the majority (44%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
41%44%
Associate's44%
Certificate41%
Doctorate15%
What Can You Do With a Construction Trades Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Construction Trades graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay the most at $79,920/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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.
Top Colleges for Construction Trades
Not sure where to study Construction Trades? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Construction Trades graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Construction Programs
Construction Trades is not the only path through Construction: 6 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Construction Trades program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Construction Trades shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.0% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 67,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Construction Trades Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Construction Trades degree?
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers are one path, and it pays a median of $79,920 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Construction Trades program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Construction Trades associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Construction Trades?
115 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Construction Trades and Construction?
Construction Trades is the narrower of the two: Construction covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Construction Trades-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Construction Trades graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Construction Trades graduates consistently look for 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. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Related Construction Programs
Other programs in Construction. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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