Best Residential Construction Jobs and How to Get Hired

If you’re interested in residential construction, you’ll find many of these types of roles within the building sector of the construction industry. These occupations deal solely with single-family and multifamily dwellings that people can call home. There are a wide variety of full-time and part-time jobs available in this realm of the construction world — from home builders to construction estimators, many people play a significant role in building or renovating a residence.

Figuring out which job is the best for you depends largely on what matters most to you in the workplace. It’s not always the highest-paying job that wins the day; your knowledge, skills, and experience also affect your decision. Take a look below to learn more about the best residential construction jobs and how to get hired for the position you want.

One of the best things about being a trade worker is that you’re an essential employee — almost always in demand. A shortage of skilled trade workers has developed over the years, as more high school graduates have chosen to go to college instead of directly entering the workforce or a vocational-technical school. The decrease in job candidates has also led to an increase in wages for residential trade workers.

In addition, trade jobs are excellent entry-level positions, as the job descriptions often require only a high school diploma. Many employers provide on-site training to help you gain more knowledge, skills, and experience, too. No matter what’s going on in the world, people need skilled laborers because they are trained in essential specialized crafts. Check out these residential trade job types if you think the profession sounds like a good fit for you.

The demand for electricians is expected to grow twice as fast as the average job growth rate over the next 10 years. A residential electrician acts as an installer and repairer of electrical systems, in addition to maintaining the systems. It’s often a solo, full-time position with the potential for evening, weekend, and overtime hours.

To become an electrician, you’ll need to graduate from high school, complete an apprenticeship, and obtain a state license. You could also attend a technical school to learn the HVAC trade. An electrician’s median annual salary in the United States is $56,180 per year, or roughly $27 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A plumber’s main job is to install and repair piping systems and fixtures in a home. However, they can also do the following:

• Read blueprints
• Prepare cost estimates
• Fix plumbing malfunctions
• Follow state and local building codes
• Inspect installed pipelines and systems
• Determine equipment and materials needed

Plumbers often work in tight spaces, travel daily to worksites, lift heavy materials, and climb ladders on the job. Some outdoor work may be required at times. Like an electrician, a plumber needs a high school diploma and learns on the job, as an apprentice. Many states also require them to be licensed before they can perform their job duties. Most plumbers work full-time and earn about $55,160 per year or $26.52 per hour.

A carpenter mainly works with wood, but they can work with other materials, as well. 21% of carpenters work in residential construction. They construct, repair, and install building frames. They also install fixtures in a home, including cabinets, railings, windows, and flooring. As a carpenter, you would work both indoors and outdoors, in addition to being on your feet most of the day.

Candidates for carpenter jobs need to have completed high school. Some people go to a vo-tech school to earn an associate degree in carpentry. After graduation, they enter into a paid apprenticeship to learn the trade. A carpenter often works full time, with overtime pay possible when deadlines need to be met. A residential building carpenter makes a median of $46,290 per year or $22.25 per hour.

Besides a high school diploma, a construction and building inspector is expected to have at least five years of construction experience. A trade worker who is ready for a career change usually takes on this job. An inspector undergoes on-the-job training, and most states also require them to complete a licensing or certification program.

A construction and building inspector is the person who makes sure that construction meets all:

• Building codes
• Building ordinances
• Zoning regulations
• Contract specifications

They can work alone or as part of a team and spend much of their time inspecting worksites. You’ll need to be in good health, as you’ll probably be required to climb ladders, or crawl in and out of tight spaces for building and roofing inspections. Inspectors also review and approve building plans, issue violation notices, and write inspection reports.

A construction and building inspector usually works full-time during regular business hours to earn a median of $62,580 per year or $30.08 per hour. If you want to ensure that homes are safe to live in and enjoy working outside of an office most of the day, then an inspector job may be a good fit for you.

To be considered for the following residential home construction positions, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study.

The person who plans and designs new home construction is called a residential architect. They spend much of their workday indoors in an office and typically work with other architects and engineers to develop custom home building plans. Sometimes, they visit project sites to review a residential construction project’s progress.

Entry-level architects need a bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). They also need to complete a paid internship, pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), and acquire any necessary licenses or certifications. The average residential architect earns $80,040 per year or $38.48 per hour.

A landscape architect designs the outdoor spaces surrounding residential real estate to make them functional and beautiful. Their projects range in size and can encompass anything from a single private home to an entire neighborhood. A landscape architect’s job duties include actions such as selecting landscaping materials, creating site plans or designs, and inspecting projects.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) is required to obtain a job in this field. Every state also requires landscape architects to be licensed, which usually includes an internship requirement. A landscape architect in the construction business earns a median salary of about $71,270 per year or $34.26 per hour.

A construction project manager supervises jobs from start to finish. They’re also known as residential construction managers and are responsible for planning, coordinating, and budgeting a building project. They often work for a construction company with other specialists, residential construction superintendents, trade workers, contractors, and homeowners for residential work. A construction manager’s main job is to ensure that the work is done correctly, in a timely manner, and within budget.

Those in construction management work in the office and also on job sites supervising construction workers as needed. Sometimes, they manage multiple building projects at the same time. It’s a demanding job that often goes over the typical 40-hour workweek and requires exceptional communication skills. A construction manager in residential construction makes around $85,800 per year or $41.25 per hour.

The key to getting hired for a residential construction job is to have the education, training, and skills necessary for the position. Thankfully, most construction occupations offer on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or internships to help you gain the necessary years of experience. So, what’s the next step to take? Turn to Joblist to help you in your search for new employment.

We make it easy to find the best residential construction jobs available right now. Our team scours the internet, collects the best jobs, and puts them all into a single, easily searchable database. With the help of Joblist, you’ll spend less time hunting for a position and more time applying for the right ones.

Take our short personalized quiz and we’ll create a custom list of job alerts based on your unique answers. Save your top opportunities and apply for a job as soon as possible! Whether you’re looking for an entry-level or management position or you live in Dallas or New York City, Joblist can help you find the best residential construction job for you today.