Find a construction career that fits your goals.

Starting point: Carpenter helper or apprentice

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; NCCER Core

Career growth: Lead carpenter → foreman → superintendent

Starting point: Electrical helper or apprentice

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; state apprenticeship requirements

Career growth: Journeyman → foreman → electrical superintendent

Starting point: Plumbing helper or apprentice

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; state licensing pathway

Career growth: Journeyman → master plumber → foreman

Starting point: HVAC installer helper or apprentice

Helpful credentials: EPA Section 608; OSHA 10

Career growth: Service technician → lead technician → service manager

Starting point: Operator trainee or laborer

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; equipment-specific qualification

Career growth: Lead operator → foreman → site superintendent

Starting point: Construction laborer

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; First Aid/CPR

Career growth: Skilled laborer → crew lead → foreman

Starting point: Concrete laborer or finisher trainee

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; ACI credentials where applicable

Career growth: Finisher → crew lead → concrete foreman

Starting point: Welder helper or apprentice

Helpful credentials: AWS process qualification; OSHA 10

Career growth: Certified welder → lead welder → welding supervisor

Starting point: Equipment service trainee

Helpful credentials: Manufacturer credentials; OSHA safety training

Career growth: Field mechanic → lead mechanic → fleet manager

Starting point: Survey field technician

Helpful credentials: OSHA 10; equipment/software training

Career growth: Crew chief → survey technician lead → licensed pathway

Starting point: Inspector trainee or field technician

Helpful credentials: ICC or agency-specific certifications

Career growth: Inspector → senior inspector → inspection manager

Starting point: Field engineer or assistant superintendent

Helpful credentials: OSHA 30; First Aid/CPR

Career growth: Superintendent → senior superintendent → general superintendent

Starting point: Project assistant or coordinator

Helpful credentials: Procore/software training; OSHA 10

Career growth: Project engineer → assistant project manager → project manager

Starting point: Estimating assistant or junior estimator

Helpful credentials: Plan-reading and estimating software training

Career growth: Estimator → senior estimator → preconstruction manager