General
Construction Services
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Construction Services.
Entry Level Salary
$66,640
Median Salary
$110,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
24.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,400,000
Entry (Early)
$66,640
Median (Prime)
$110,000
High (Prime)
$116,809
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+135k
+486k
+540k
$25k / yr
+45k
+396k
+450k
$50k / yr
-45k
+306k
+360k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
30
25
24
$25k / yr
45
28
27
$50k / yr
Never
32
31
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
41%
364%
414%
$50k / yr
-21%
141%
166%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate10.2%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Construction managers
29.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,793
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$106,407|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
Management occupations
7.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,692
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,988|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Civil engineers
5.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,785|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Cost estimators
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$58,526
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$92,060|$77,070
openings
16,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): -4.2%
Top executives
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$95,647
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$208,250|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Project management specialists
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Construction laborers
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,894|$46,730
openings
129,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.3%
General and operations managers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$81,218
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$137,000|$102,950
openings
308,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Carpenters
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,997|$59,310
openings
74,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.5%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$78,690
openings
74,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.3%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| building/construction finishing, management, and inspection. | Undergrad Certificate | 172 | $22,663 - $71,812 |
| building/construction finishing, management, and inspection. | Associate's Degree | 134 | $47,946 - $93,597 |
| building/construction finishing, management, and inspection. | Bachelor's Degree | 10 | $74,310 - $97,793 |
| carpenters. | Undergrad Certificate | 159 | $26,841 - $62,497 |
| carpenters. | Associate's Degree | 47 | $45,162 - $69,442 |
| construction trades, general. | Undergrad Certificate | 45 | $36,146 - $60,617 |
| construction trades, general. | Associate's Degree | 28 | $95,028 - $95,028 |
| construction trades, other. | Undergrad Certificate | 18 | $39,898 - $39,898 |
| construction trades, other. | Associate's Degree | 16 | $46,941 - $53,928 |
| construction trades, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 1 | $99,249 - $99,249 |
| electrical and power transmission installers. | Undergrad Certificate | 415 | $12,391 - $176,927 |
| electrical and power transmission installers. | Associate's Degree | 179 | $27,780 - $162,329 |
| mason/masonry. | Undergrad Certificate | 20 | $21,732 - $21,732 |
| mason/masonry. | Associate's Degree | 5 | $42,956 - $42,956 |
| plumbing and related water supply services. | Undergrad Certificate | 92 | $21,656 - $106,325 |
| plumbing and related water supply services. | Associate's Degree | 16 | $53,563 - $93,701 |