Career in Construction: Why Construction is a Smart Career Choice
GOOD PAY
Hawaii’s high cost of living makes it difficult to stay in Hawaii. The construction industry offers jobs that pay well that allow you to remain in the islands instead of having to move away.
WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS
As the industry evolves, construction professionals are continually learning new skills and adopting state-of-the-art technologies. An exciting, diverse spectrum of opportunities awaits you in Hawaii’s construction industry, including managers, laborers, office workers, and engineers. Below are a few careers you can pursue in the Construction Industry. Remember, this is just a small sample. The industry has many different career choices and paths, many that may not be associated with construction!
CARPENTERS
Construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$82,047 per year
$53 per hour
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CEMENT MASONS & CONCRETE FINISHERS
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$80,960 per year
$44.47 per hour (Journeyman Mason)
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CIVIL ENGINEERS
Plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$84,500 per year
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CONSTRUCTION LABORERS
Perform tasks, such as supplying materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$62,170 per year
$40.65 per hour
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CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS
Plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$120,670 per year
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ELECTRICIANS
Install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$92,750 per year
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ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
Design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$110,490 per year
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HUMAN RESOURCES (HR)
MANAGER: Plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$111,250 per year
SPECIALIST: Recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may manage compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$65,840 per year
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
NETWORK & COMPUTER SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR: Install, configure, and maintain an organization's computer networks and systems.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$97,490 per year
COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS: Maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$59,490 per year
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MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
Design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$97,140 per year
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PLUMBERS
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$74,090 per year
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SHEET METAL WORKERS
Fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets.
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MEDIAN PAY IN HAWAII (2023)
$87,380 per year
MORE INFO
- Career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2023): https://www.bls.gov/ooh
- Yearly Salary from the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (2023): https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/employment-and-wages-by-occupation
- Hourly Rates from the Labor Union Negotiations (2023)
Breakdown of careers by type
ADMINISTRATION
• Accounting
• Business Development
• Estimating
• Human Resources
• Marketing
CONSTRUCTION TRADES
• Bricklayer
• Carpenter
• Carpet / Flooring Installer
• Cement Mason
• Equipment Operator
• Electrician
• Elevator Mechanic
• Glazer
• HVAC
• Laborer
• Painter
• Plumber
• Roofer
• Steel Erector
• Welder
DESIGN
• Architect
• Civil Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Surveying
• Transportation Engineer
HEALTH, SAFETY, & ENVIRONMENTAL
• Occupational Health
• Risk Manager
• Safety Officer
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS
• Office Manager
• Parts Manager
• Sales Associate
• Warehouse Clerk
SUPERVISION & MANAGEMENT
• Foreman
• Project Engineer
• Project Manager
• Quality Control Officer
• Superintendent
There’s so much more to construction than what you see by just looking at a job site.
CORI GONOPROJECT MANAGER, CIVIL-MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR