The term “recession-proof” has taken on a new and important meaning in the wake of the Great Recession of 2008, a meaning that has been renewed during the pandemic. One recession-proof industry has proven to be construction. Residential and commercial real estate, roads, bridges, power and energy, hotels—each of these sectors has weathered economic storms and proven to be dependable ways for a person to support a family.
The American Institutes of Architects’ Consensus Construction Forecast predicts that nonresidential construction will grow 4.6%, while the overall commercial construction market will see a 5.4% increase. This is against market expectations of global construction gains of 3.7%, meaning the U.S. market is expected to be ahead of the curve. Moreover, road and highway construction is expected to reach $108 billion annually by 2024.
Aside from ongoing supply chain woes that have caused delays in materials delivery, one source of concern in construction is workforce shortages. Analysis from Deloitte says that labor shortages are the result of a lack of qualified candidates and a skills gap between generations in an industry growing more technologically savvy by the year.
But this does not mean there are no jobs out there—to the contrary, there are a great number of construction jobs out there, and many of them are high-paying and offer career opportunities. To that end, Stacker compiled a list of the highest paying jobs in construction in Alabama’s five biggest cities. Jobs are ranked based on annual pay as of May 2020. Job descriptions are from O*NET.
Huntsville, AL- Boilermakers
Annual mean salary: $63,360
Employment: 70
Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job description: Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.
Birmingham-Hoover, AL- Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Annual mean salary: $79,760
Employment: 120
Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Montgomery, AL- First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Annual mean salary: $55,630
Employment: 820
Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Mobile, AL- First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Annual mean salary: $66,130
Employment: 1,410
Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Tuscaloosa, AL- First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Annual mean salary: $69,280
Employment: 790
Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
