The global construction industry is growing at a high rate, expected to hit over $16.6 trillion by 2025. With such growth, the industry undoubtedly plays a fundamental role in the growth and development of economies worldwide, making construction jobs a pillar for many of the most prominent economies in the world. 

So, a career in construction can be a pretty rewarding opportunity, especially for fresh graduates who can thrive in a hardworking and fast-paced environment. There are multiple possible careers in construction.

If you plan to get into the industry, you must get acquainted with the different opportunities available to help you make the most appropriate choice.

10 Types of Jobs in the Construction industry

When working in this industry, you will find yourself engaged in one or more of the following types of construction; residential building, institutional and commercial structures, specialized industrial construction, infrastructure, and heavy construction. The different types of construction jobs range from creating new structures to maintenance and renovation.

1. A Surveyor 

A surveyor provides professional advice to clients on the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings. There are two major types of surveyors.

• Land surveyor

These use different equipment and tools to measure land features accurately, build maps, sketches, charts, examine previous records and evidence to ensure data accuracy, among other roles and responsibilities.

A land surveyor earns about ₦70K to ₦220K per month on average in Nigeria, depending on experience.

• Quantity Surveyor

These generally manage the costs of construction projects. They assess the project needs, materials, pay and manage subcontractors, etc., to ensure the process goes through most efficiently.

On average, a quantity surveyor earns about ₦1.2 million per year.

What Construction Jobs Require Surveying?

Construction sites require surveying services at different points before and during the project. All big projects require Quantity surveyors because they need to assess the costs before commencing the work.

Other critical jobs that require surveying include:

• Road construction:

Surveyors are essential with such infrastructure work because there is a need to assess land issues and connectivity, among others.

• Industrial buildings:

Because of the impact of industrial activity on land and communities, these types of projects require surveying. They need to assess the land and how the project can be most efficiently carried out.

• Residential buildings:

Especially when building from the ground up, these need surveying to ensure no encroachment on land. The houses must also be built appropriately according to the landscape. It helps to avoid disaster down the road.

2. Construction Manager  

A construction manager oversees all aspects of the project and ensures that it runs as smoothly as possible. The construction manager is in charge of hiring and training all workers, ensuring they work as a team, handling cost negotiations, and communicating with the clients.

A construction manager averagely earns ₦300K to ₦900K monthly.

3. Civil Engineer

The main task of a civil engineer is to design, plan and manage the construction project and ensure that it is physically feasible and within the budget. They work hand in hand with the clients and subcontractors to purchase or acquire the necessary equipment and personnel, like architects.

Civil engineers also use different modeling software and data to map out blueprints to guide the project. They also have a vital role in ensuring that the ongoing project is good for the environment and people. 

A civil engineer in Nigeria earns about ₦3.8 million per year.

4. Construction worker

This role involves manual labor since they carry out the major physical work involved in the construction. Their work includes clearing the site, digging, cutting the materials, among others. Many are general workers and can do most tasks. Still, a few specialize in roads and highways, digging tunnels, industrial structures, etc.

On average, a construction worker earns ₦88,000 per month in Nigeria.

5. Safety manager

The primary objective of a safety manager is to create and implement safety rules and procedures to minimize injuries and other potential risks on any site. They inspect the worksite periodically to make sure that it is safe. If any issues arise, they are tasked with fixing them before anyone gets hurt.

The annual average earnings of a safety manager in Nigeria is ₦1,220,000.

6. Plumber

A plumber’s role primarily rotates around installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing systems for residential, commercial, or industrial structures. They also inspect fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and sewage lines to ensure they are running correctly. A plumbing career will find you in multiple fields and activities. So if you love variety, it could work well for you.

The average monthly salary for a construction plumber is ₦120,000 depending on client and experience.

7. Glazier

Glaziers specialize in construction projects that require glass, like windows, storefronts, skylights, and display cases. They are in charge of measuring, cutting, and shaping the glasses to meet the project specifications. Specialists in this field are increasingly on-demand. They are scarce due to the complexity of the work and the patience required for it.

A glazier in Nigeria earns between ₦28,175.02 to ₦116,589.48 per month on average, depending on the projects.

8. Painter

Painters in construction add that final touch to any structure. They prepare the surfaces, for instance, by repairing holes, cleaning the surface, among others. They also take account of how much material (e.g paint) it requires to complete a project.

A construction painter then paints the surfaces according to the client’s specifications, using best practices to ensure even coloring, color matching, weather protection, among others. 

On average, painters earn about ₦60 to ₦190k a month.

9. Equipment operators 

Equipment operators move different heavy machinery at the construction sites like earthmovers and bulldozers, and cranes. These operate at various projects like roads, buildings, bridges, and the like. This job is quite technical since it involves multiple machines. Some workers specialize in specific machines, while others are generalists running multiple ones.

For this career path, you will probably need more on-job training.

10. Electrician

An electrician is in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems like wiring, lighting, and others within residential or commercial buildings. They are also in charge of fixing any electrical problems faced during the construction project and after. Construction electricians mainly deal with complex electrical systems, often working from blueprints. 

In Nigeria, the average electrician on average earns an average of ₦90k to ₦200k per month.

Which Construction Job Pays The Most?

With an average salary of ₦200K per month, construction jobs can boost your financial standing. A construction manager is the highest-paid construction job, which could earn you well over ₦300k per month.

It is mainly a managerial position but would require you to have engineering expertise as well. Ideally, to become a construction manager, you would need strong academic qualifications in any civil engineering field and several years of experience with construction projects.