PICTURE THIS: You’ve got a job you love, zero student debt, and can build something to make you proud. Too good to be true? Think again.
Right now, there are numerous construction career paths and 100,000 construction job openings in Mississippi waiting to be filled by skilled workers. From managers to carpenters, the construction sector is desperate for tradespeople. There is no better time than the present to join this rewarding industry.
What are some of the highest-paying construction careers in Mississippi? Glad you asked – let’s get into it.
Construction Managers
Construction managers oversee all aspects of a construction project, from planning to execution, while ensuring everything is on time, within budget, and up to quality standards.
To become a construction manager, you need to gain experience in the trades and attain advanced training and certifications. This is where Build Mississippi can help!
Through partnerships with local community colleges, we can help interested students take the first step in learning about construction with NCCER-certified programs and other basic construction courses. Build Mississippi is the tool you should always keep handy. Some of our community college partners include:
Already in construction and seeking to become a manager? We also offer assessments to help you climb the corporate ladder. Take one of our below management assessments to prove your skill and secure that promotion:
- Construction Superintendent
- Construction Workforce Development Professional
- Foreman
Construction managers make a great living. Salaries range from entry-level at $54,000 to experienced professionals making around $115,000.
If you’re detail-oriented, passionate about leadership, and eager to take charge of complex projects, then you’re cut out to be a construction manager. Get started with a community college program today.
Boilermakers
Boilermakers are skilled craftsmen who assemble, repair, and maintain boilers, tanks, and closed vats holding liquids and gases. These physically active, detail-orientated tradespeople work in a variety of industries, from power plants to shipyards.
Anyone 18 years or older with a GED or high school education who loves hands-on work and enjoys problem-solving can train to become a boilermaker. You can start a boilermaker apprenticeship today in Hattiesburg, MS! Visit SAJAC Boilermakers website for more information or call (601) 544-3700 to learn more.
It pays to be a boilermaker. An entry-level boilermaker apprentice could start earning $55,000 annually, with the possibility of reaching an average salary of $61,000 by year two of their program. Experienced tradesmen are currently earning around $67,000 a year.
If you’re already a boilermaker and want to continue to rise in the ranks, take one of our assessments! These performance evaluation assessments will help you track and show off your knowledge and skills. We offer the below assessments for boilermakers:
- Boilermaker – Pressure Vessel
- Industrial Boilermaker – Exchanger
- Industrial Boilermaker – Maintenance
With an apprenticeship opportunity offered right here in Mississippi, today is the day to start your career as a boilermaker!
Construction & Building Inspectors
Those skilled at following and enforcing rules and regulations have the foundation to become great construction and building inspectors. Construction inspectors ensure construction projects meet local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional construction knowledge and earned the necessary certifications (i.e. the Registered Construction Inspectors certification through the American Construction Inspectors Association) can become construction and building inspectors. To learn more about construction, consider enrolling in a construction community college program we help administer. We partner with the below community colleges to provide construction education:
Inspectors can earn a respectable salary ranging from $39,000 to $70,000 – no college degree needed.
If you are a hard-working Type A tradesperson, consider a career as a construction or building inspector!
Electricians
Electricians install and maintain the electrical and power systems in new and existing structures. They also handle complex wiring, outlets, switches, circuit breakers, and even the electrical systems of large factories.
The best path to becoming an electrician is through an apprenticeship program. Lucky enough, Build Mississippi offers just that! Those who are 18 years or older who have graduated from high school or have their GED can enroll in our four-year electrician apprenticeship program, which is taught by highly trained professionals.
If an apprenticeship isn’t in the cards for you right now, you can enroll in one of the below community college electrician programs we help administer:
- MS Gulf Coast Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Meridian Community College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
- Pearl River Community College
At the beginning of their career, electricians can earn $39,000, but by the fourth year of their apprenticeship program with us, they could be earning up to $60,000. This salary continues to grow with increased experience and expertise.
One way to prove your expertise is by taking an assessment that Build Mississippi offers to current electricians. We offer the below performance evaluation assessments which help you continue to climb the ladder and earn more:
- Commercial Electrician
- Industrial Electrician
- Power Generation Maintenance Electrician
Electricians literally light up our world and make a great living doing so. Start your career as an electrician today by applying for our apprenticeship program at this link!
HVAC Technicians
HVAC technicians install and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to regulate temperature and air quality in buildings. They work with motors, compressors, pumps, coils, fans, and control switches to maintain comfortable and clean air.
A career as an HVAC technician starts with an apprenticeship. This route allows tradespeople to work full-time and train part-time through an apprenticeship program. We offer a four-year HVAC apprenticeship taught by experienced National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) professionals so that graduates can earn industry-recognized and respected credentials.
You can also graduate from a community college HVAC program! We currently help administer NCCER curriculum to HVAC programs offered at the below community colleges:
HVAC technicians begin their careers earning an average salary of $34,000, but by the fourth year of their apprenticeship with Build Mississippi, they could potentially earn around $60,000. From there, the sky is the limit on earning potential!
Further into your career as an HVAC technician, you can take our HVAC Technician assessment. This performance evaluation assessment will showcase your gained knowledge and skills and help you grab that promotion or pay raise.
If you’re good with technology, active, enjoy problem solving, and like making a great paycheck, a career as an HVAC technician is for you. Let us help you start building a better future through our apprenticeship program today.
Plumbers
Plumbers install and maintain the pipes and valves forming a building’s water and drainage systems. They also clean drains, remove obstructions, and repair or replace broken pipes and fixtures.
In order to be prepared for a plumbing career, it’s best to enroll in a plumbing apprenticeship. Build Mississippi offers just that! Our four-year-long apprenticeship program allows you to work full-time and learn part-time with us to earn your nationally recognized certifications and credentials needed to be successful in the industry.
Entry-level plumbers can begin with a salary of $37,000, which drastically increases as they finish their apprenticeship program with us. On average, Build Mississippi’s plumbing apprenticeship graduates earn $60,000 after completing the program.
In addition to a plumbing apprenticeship, Build Mississippi offers a plumbing assessment. This performance evaluation assessment allows current plumbers to show employers how skilled they are and, in return, earn a promotion or raise.
A plumbing career is a best-kept secret: you can start earning a respectable salary immediately, avoid college debt, and can work with your hands. Look into our plumbing apprenticeship today if you want to be proud of the work you do.
Sheet Metal Workers
Sheet metal workers use computers, laser cutters, and special equipment to cut and shape thin metal sheets for products like air ducts and roofing elements. They enjoy being active and outdoors and are skilled with computers, technology, and math.
Those who are interested in becoming sheet metal workers should join an apprenticeship to gain the needed skills and knowledge to excel in the field. A sheet metal apprenticeship is one of the four apprenticeship programs we offer at Build Mississippi. Our NCCER-certified instructors ensure that our apprentices graduate from the four-year program with industry-recognized certifications and all the experience needed to truly reach their full potential as sheet metal workers.
No college debt is required, and with a starting salary of around $33,000, it’s a no-brainer to pursue a career as a sheet metal worker. The cherry on top is that by the end of our sheet metal apprenticeship, apprentices are making up to $60,000 as they work while they learn.
What are you waiting for? Apply to our sheet metal apprenticeship today and start building a career that will set you and your family up for lasting success.
Brick Masons & Block Masons
Brick and block masons build and repair walls, foundations, beams, columns, and other structures using brick, terra cotta, precast masonry panels, concrete block, and other masonry materials.
A high school education paired with on-the-job training is all that’s required to start a career as a brick or block mason. If needed, employers can enroll their masons in an apprenticeship or further training. Employers will know which programs are applicable to their employees.
Brick and Block masons can start earning $32,000 as an entry-level mason. With continued experience and education, masons can take home around $54,000 a year.
You can prove your masonry knowledge by taking Build Mississippi’s Masonry assessment. Good scores on this performance assessment will give you the leverage needed to continue to climb your company’s ladder and earn more for your hard work.
If you want to make a difference and great pay, pursue a career as a brick and block mason today.
Carpenters
Carpenters use wood and various materials to construct and maintain buildings, tunnels, bridges, and other structures. Their responsibilities may include framing walls, installing doors and windows, or building interior structures.
A high school degree or GED paired with industry knowledge and basic skills is what’s required to start a career as a carpenter. Build Mississippi does not currently partner with schools or training centers, but there are numerous carpentry programs offered throughout the state worth looking into.
Entry-level carpenters begin their careers making $33,000, and with years of professional growth and proven expertise, experienced carpenters start earning around $50,000 on average.
Want to show off your skills to your employer or further your career? Take one of our available craft assessments. We offer commercial carpenter or industrial carpenter performance evaluation assessments that can help you get that promotion or pay raise.
Carpentry is a tried-and-true centuries-old career. You can work with your hands, produce something you can be proud of, and earn a great living. Why not?
Roofers
Roofers install materials such as shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, or wood to cover roofs. They may also apply materials to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
To pursue a roofing career, you need a high school diploma or GED, in addition to industry licenses and assessments. Most roofing companies will provide the necessary on-the-job training and access to the required exams and licenses.
Entry-level roofers start earning around $28,000 and experienced roofing professionals can bring home up to $45,000.
Take your future to new heights! Start your roofing career today if you enjoy being outdoors, are detail-orientated, and aren’t afraid of heights.
The Sky is the Limit
The demand for skilled trade workers has never been higher — making it the perfect time to enter the trades. These careers offer competitive pay, immediate job openings, and endless growth potential. Plus, you can start making a competitive salary on day one without debt. Need we say more?
Reach out to Build Mississippi today to start building your career.
When it comes to your success in the construction industry, the sky really is the limit.