Job opportunities at state and local departments of transportation and private engineering firms include:

• Civil engineers, who design projects to build or improve transportation infrastructure
• Transportation planners, who determine infrastructure needs
• Contract managers, who draw up and oversee contracts with private engineering companies and construction firms to design and build construction projects
• Inspectors, who monitor the progress and quality of construction work to assure contract provisions are met
• Auditors and finance officers, who pay bills, collect receivables, and assure accuracy of financial transactions
• IT personnel, since most operations and records are now computerized
• Construction managers, who manage large construction projects on behalf of state or local departments of transportation
• Office and clerical workers

Most of these occupations require a college degree and some require advanced training. Salaries and benefits match those of similar professions.

The career opportunities provided by construction companies focus more heavily on construction occupations, although managerial and professional jobs are also important. In addition to jobs similar to those described above, the jobs at construction companies include:

• Project manager, who manages all aspects of a construction project
• Estimator, who can work from engineering plans to determine how much it will cost to build a project and thus the amount the construction company should bid
• Safety and environmental compliance managers
• Purchasing agent, who is responsible for purchasing needed materials and equipment
• Heavy equipment operators and truck drivers
• Skilled craftsmen, such as carpenters, electricians and mechanics
• Communications and marketing personnel
• Laborers, who do a variety of jobs that may not require special skills

Competitive Wages

Educational requirements vary by occupation, with most requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Skills can be developed in training courses and on the job. Salaries are very competitive with similar jobs in manufacturing and well above those in many service industries.

Hourly earnings in the transportation construction industry are far greater than earnings in food services (60 percent), hospitality (55 percent), manufacturing (18 percent) or retail trade (39 percent)-on average, highway, street and bridge construction workers earn 22 percent more than other hourly employees in the private sector.

Here are just a few examples of the hundreds of jobs and opportunities waiting for you-and the average annual salaries in 2010.

Construction Executive Management

President & CEOs: $170,000
General & Operations Managers: $119,100
Financial Managers: $104,500

Designing the Infrastructure

Civil Engineers: $74,900
Architects: $55,300
Surveyors: $53,300

Building the Infrastructure

Project Managers: $119,000
Foreman/Supervisors & Superintendents: $61,800
Estimators: $67,300
Equipment Mechanics: $44,600
Carpenters: $47,800
Concrete Finishers: $41,100
Excavating Machine Operators: $36,400
Pile-Driver Operators: $50,200
Paving/Surfacing Equipment Operators: $39,200
Truck Drivers: $37,400
Laborers or Helpers: $37,300
Highway Maintenance Workers: $34,600

Other Occupations

Computer Specialists: $49,200
Chief Engineers: $99,500
Construction Managers: $93,300
Financial Managers: $99,700
Purchasing Managers: $58,500
Human Relations Specialists: $57,500
Clerk & Office Workers: $35,100
Recordkeepers: $30,710
Sales Representatives: $55,660
Network Administrators: $66,330

Source: ARTBA analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data; 2010 ARTBA U.S. Highway, Street & Bridge Construction Salary & Hourly Wage Guide

The online ARTBA job board is also an excellent resource.

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Many states and ARTBA contractor chapters host "Construction Career Days." These workforce development forums introduce high school students to careers in the transportation construction industry. Visit www.uritc.org to learn more.

Check out the ARTBA workforce development brochure, developed by the association's Young Executive Leadership Council, which is the perfect handout for a "Construction Career Day" or recruiting event.

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