Construction & Extraction
The construction and extraction industry is full of opportunities for people who like to build things with their hands.
In the construction and extraction industry there are dozens and dozens of careers to choose from. Carpenters, carpet installers, electricians, fence erectors, stonemasons, roofers, plumbers, miners, pipe layers all fall into this category. And that’s just scratching the surface.
If you like to figure out how things work and like to build things with your hands, this is probably a great field for you. People everywhere depend on this industry for homes, office buildings, oil, coal and more.
In 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were more than six million people employed in this industry and that the average income was $42,350.
Careers
Boilermakers
Boilermakers build and repair steam boilers using power tools and hand tools.
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Brickmasons and blockmasons lay stone to act as foundations for structures and for landscaping purposes.
Carpenters
Carpenters work on things like bridges, roads, furniture and cabinets. They build the things people everywhere use every day and make repairs to broke pieces.
Carpet Installers
Carpet installers use lots of tools to prepare surfaces for carpet and then measure, cut and install carpet.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Cement masons and concrete finishes have the unique opportunity to combine design and mechanics as they create walk ways, barriers, porches and more.
Construction and Building Inspectors
Construction and building inspectors make sure structures are safe and meet requirements. They monitor construction sites, read blueprints, take measurements and oversee the installation of things in buildings.
Construction Carpenters
Construction carpenters build things like furniture, flooring, windows and other fixtures out of wood by using a variety of tools and reading blueprints.
Construction Laborers
Construction laborers make it possible for skyscrapers to be erected, bridges to span waterways and trenches to drain water.
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Continuous mining machine operators use machines to remove rock, coal and metal and put it on conveyor belts. They also make decisions about where to drill and use equipment to prevent cave ins.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Oil and gas derrick operators maintain and use the equipment that drains mud during drilling projects.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Drywall and ceiling tile installers have the important job of installing drywall and tile in offices, auditoriums and even homes.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Earth drillers drill for samples for mining, blasting and testing purposes.
Electricians
Electricians make it possible to run lights, televisions, computers and every electronic appliance in homes, businesses, school and other buildings.
Elevator Installers and Repairers
Elevator installers and repairers have the important job of installing and maintaining elevators in all sorts of buildings.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters have the exciting job of organizing placing explosives to remove soil and rock.
Fence Erectors
Fence erectors are responsible for putting fences up around businesses and homes.
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
First-line supervisor or manager of construction trades and extraction workers manage groups of workers and all the activities that go on at construction sites.
Tile and Marble Setters
Tile and Marble Setters work with tile and marble, cutting and setting it for floors, ceilings, walls, and roof decks.