Salaries remain high in the construction industry

Words: Jennifer WilkersonSkilled craft professionals continue to earn top dollar, according to NCCER's 2015 Construction Craft Salary Survey. Each year, NCCER surveys companies and organizations from the industrial and commercial construction industries across the U.S about the salaries of their craft professionals. The Construction Craft Salary Survey represents average annual salaries for individual craft areas, not including overtime, per diem, bonuses or other incentives.

Of the nearly 90 construction groups surveyed, average annual salaries for craft professions ranged from just over $47,000 to almost $89,000. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list, earning $88,675 and $77,917, respectively. Other professions earning more than $65,000 annually include tower crane operators, power generation technicians, combo welders, power line workers and instrumentation technicians. Mobile crane operators, millwrights, pipe welders, electronic systems technicians and heavy equipment operators earned more than $60,000 in 2015. Since many craft professionals receive overtime, per diem, project bonuses and other pay incentives, their take-home pay is typically much greater than the salaries listed in this survey.

NCCER's Construction Craft Survey is one of numerous resources that NCCER and its Build Your Future initiative offer to promote construction careers and assist in creating a pipeline of qualified craft professionals to the industry. Complete survey results are available at www.nccer.org/uploads/docs/2015_ConstructionCraftSalarySurvey.pdf.

The organizations that participate in NCCER's survey do so voluntarily, and all specific company information remains confidential. Only craft areas in which the number of responses received is sufficient to calculate a valid average are included in the survey results.
The Benefits of Concealed Lintel Systems in Modern Masonry
June 2026

When looking at iconic structures built throughout history, one of the most recognizable architectural elements is the masonry arch. These arches are not only aesthetically and visually pleasing but also serve as an engineering solution for structural sta

MAP Partner
Read More
What’s New With CMU: A Closer Look From Ken Rathbun
June 2026

Anyone who’s spending time around CMU jobs today can see the shift. Concrete masonry isn’t just the backup wall; it is the finish on more projects. Thanks in part to the CMU check-off program and a broader focus on design and education, architects and own

Ken Rathbun
MAP Partner
Read More
Case Study: Kyle Field at Texas A&M
June 2026

The $450 million redevelopment of Texas A&M’s football stadium, Kyle Field, was one of the most high-profile projects in Echelon and Amerimix history. With the renovation, Kyle Field’s capacity increased to 102,733, making it the biggest college stadium i

Case Study
Read More
2026 Masonry Foundation Grants Now Open
June 2026

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More