Construction and Extraction

Construction and extraction careers often involve trade work—such as carpentry, electrical, and pipe-fitting. This industry sector also includes labor jobs, such as construction, floor installation and roofing. The job outlook is above average, with moderate-to-high yearly openings, especially in developing suburban areas outside of major cities.

Carpenter: A career in carpentry revolves around using wood, concrete or other substances to construct buildings and structures of all types. Typically, carpenters receive on-the-job training by going through an apprenticeship.

Roofer: Roofers repair and install roofs on new and existing structures. The work can be grueling, as there’s lots of heavy lifting and work with hot roofing materials. Some roofers go through a 3-year apprenticeship program—most simply receive on-the-job training.

Floor Installer: A floor installer learns about all types flooring and floor installation. Materials used include carpet, wood, cement, tile and more. Most floor installers gain their training through on-the-job experience.