If you are contemplating a career in the Construction Industry, then look no further - we have compiled some of the most frequesntly asked questions regarding Construction Employment and Safety. If you have any questions not answered her, please submit them to us to post for others to answer.

In the United Staes, Construction, with 7.0 million wage and salary jobs and 1.9 million self-employed and unpaid family workers in 2004, was one of the Nation’s largest industries. Almost 2 out of 3 wage and salary jobs in construction were with specialty trade contractors; primarily plumbing, heating, and air conditioning; electrical; and masonry contractors. Around 1 out of 4 jobs were with building contractors, mostly in residential and nonresidential construction. The rest were with heavy and civil engineering construction contractors (table 1). Employment in this industry is distributed geographically in much the same way as the Nation’s population.

There were about 818,000 construction establishments in the United States in 2004: 247,000 were building construction contractors; 57,000 were heavy and civil engineering construction or highway contractors; and 514,000 were specialty trade contractors. Most of these establishments tend to be small, the majority employing fewer than 5 workers (chart 1). About 1 out of 9 workers are employed by small contractors.

Construction offers more opportunities than most other industries for individuals who want to own and run their own business. The 1.9 million self-employed and unpaid family workers in 2004 performed work directly for property owners or acted as contractors on small jobs, such as additions, remodeling, and maintenance projects. The rate of self-employment varies greatly by individual occupation in the construction trades

opportunities are expected to be excellent in the construction industry, especially for skilled trades workers, due to the large number of retirements of these workers anticipated over the next decade, as well as fewer people with the right education or experience entering the skilled trades.

The number of wage and salary jobs in the construction industry is expected to grow about 11 percent through the year 2014, compared with the 14 percent projected for all industries combined. Employment in this industry depends primarily on the level of construction and remodeling activity which is expected to increase over the coming decade.

Although household growth is expected to slow slightly over the coming decade, the increase will create demand for residential construction, especially in the fastest growing areas in the South and West. Rising numbers of immigrants, as well as the children of the baby boomers, will generate demand for homes and rental apartments. In addition, a desire for larger homes with more amenities will fuel demand for move-up homes, as well as the renovation and expansion of older homes. Townhouses and condominiums in conveniently located suburban and urban settings also are increasingly desired types of properties.

Employment is expected to grow faster in nonresidential construction over the decade. Replacement of many industrial plants has been delayed for years, and a large number of structures will have to be replaced or remodeled. Construction of nursing homes and other residential homes for the elderly, as well as all types of healthcare facilities, will be needed to meet the need for more medical treatment facilities, especially by the growing elderly population. Construction of schools will continue to be needed, especially in the South and West where the population is growing the fastest. In other areas, however, replacing and renovating older schools will create jobs.

Employment in heavy and civil engineering construction is projected to increase due to growth in new highway, bridge, and street construction, as well as in maintenance and repairs to prevent further deterioration of the Nation’s existing highways and bridges. Voters and legislators in most States and localities continue to approve spending on road construction, which will create jobs over the next decade.