What are the Highest Paid Occupations in Construction?

Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $58,500 and the top 25% make at least $79,450, according to the latest May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and analysis by NAHB.

In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $48,060, while the top 25% makes at least $76,980.

The OEWS publishes wages for almost 400 occupations in construction. Out of these, only 46 are construction trades. The other industry workers are in finance, sales, administration and other offsite activities.

The highest paid occupation in construction is chief executive officer (CEO), with half of CEOs making over $172,000 per year. Lawyers working in construction are next on the list with a median annual salary of $166,450, and the top 25% highest paid lawyers making over $221,220. Out of the next 10 highest paid trades in construction, eight are various managers.

Among construction trades, elevator installers and repairers top the list, with half of them earning over $103,340 a year, and the top 25% making at least $129,090. First-line supervisors of construction trades are next on the list with median salaries of $76,960, with the top 25% highest paid supervisors earning more than $97,500.

Learn more about the breakdown among different construction trades in this Eye on Housing post from Natalia Siniavskaia, NAHB assistant vice president for housing policy research.