2024 Construction Craft Salary Survey: Construction Industry Salaries Remain High

Earning potential remains high for skilled craft professionals, according to the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s (NCCER) 2024 Construction Craft Salary Survey. NCCER received responses from 183 organizations representing nearly 323,000 employees from the industrial, commercial and residential construction industries across the United States.

Average annual salaries for positions included in the survey ranged from $52,520 to $89,609, with more than 80% of positions reporting salaries above $65,000. General foreman and instrumentation technician topped the list with average salaries of more than $89,600 and $84,700, respectively. In addition to specific craft positions, some of the other factors that determine a skilled professional’s salary include construction type, credentials, certifications and experience.

The 10 highest average annual salaries reported in this year’s survey are:

1. General Foreman - $89,609.89
2. Instrumentation Technician - $84,760.00
3. Craft Foreman - $82,160.35
4. Combo Welder - $80,888.89
5. Mobile Crane Operator - $80,674.29
6. Surveyor - $79,840.00
7. Electronic Systems Technician - $79,386.67
8. Pipe Welder - $77,350.00
9. Industrial Electrician - $77,054.55
10. Construction Site Safety Technician - $74,032.59

*These salaries do not include overtime, per diem or other incentives that are common in the construction industry.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that overall employment in construction and extraction occupations is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2032. As the industry faces a growing workforce shortage, it is estimated that construction employers will need more than half a million new skilled workers each year.

“The survey results highlight one of the many benefits of choosing a career in the construction industry — competitive compensation,” said Jennifer Wilkerson, Vice President of Innovation and Advancement at NCCER. “With the high demand for craft professionals, and growing evidence that Gen Z and others are seeking alternatives to the traditional college path, the construction industry offers very real options for long-term, rewarding careers.”

The Construction Craft Salary Survey is released every two years as part of NCCER’s mission to create opportunities for career advancement and to support construction industry growth. The complete report is available at www.nccer.org/salary . The organizations that take part in NCCER’s survey do so voluntarily, and all specific company information remains confidential. Only positions which received enough responses to calculate a valid average are included.