Salaried Jobs

• The primary factor in determining construction industry salary is the job type, according to The PayScale Report. For example, the financial controller of a construction company earns $74,730 annually as of May 2010, while an office manager gets $40,559. An estimator receives $53,752; a project manager makes $69,853 and an assistant project manager averages $51,403. Finally, a construction superintendent takes $69,351, while a project engineer is paid at $55,565.
  
  

Hourly Jobs

• Because much of the work is based on projects with fixed start and end dates, the industry hires many hourly employees for a specific structure. Examples include carpenters who earn $19.19 an hour and construction foremen who get $21.98. Heavy equipment operators receive $17.71, while laborers make $14.47. Finally, project managers are paid $25.01, while administrative assistants receive $13.66.
  
  

Employer

• The type of employer affects compensation. Those working for the federal government average $62,428, while those in state and local jurisdictions earn $53,824. Employees of a company average $58,730; those who are self-employed make $53,942, and those under contract get $59,377. Those working for colleges and universities are compensated at $52,120 while those in school districts are paid $43,000. Finally, hospitals pay the most at $66,076, while construction teams give $60,000.
  
  

Location

• The city of employment plays a part in the salary. Los Angeles leads with an average salary of $73,381 followed by New York at $69,745. Houston pays $62,807 while Denver compensates at $61,535. Workers in Chicago get $64,194, while those in Atlanta earn $59,901. As for states, California pays the most at $68,904 followed by New York at $61,322. Illinois gives $59,164, while Texas compensates at $58,278. Finally, employees in Florida make $55,694, while those in Georgia receive $53,769.
  
  

Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction jobs are expected to grow by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, which it is faster than average for all jobs. Because of population growth, residential construction is expected to demand more workers, while senior housing will also increase because of an expanding senior citizen base. Civil engineering and other heavy construction will increase because of the creation and repair of highways, bridges and streets. A need for new power lines and power plants will also provide jobs.