Prepare for a Career in Construction Engineering with an Online Degree Program

Are you considering a career in construction engineering? This historic field goes back to the Roman Empire and the Egyptian pyramids. Today, the construction industry is a cornerstone of our economy. Construction encompasses building everything from a home to skyscrapers, bridges, and highways. Many career niches within the construction industry require a degree, and you can choose an online degree program to start on that path. Take a look at some construction careers along with median annual salaries for each according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

Architect

Architects plan and design structures, such as houses, office buildings, and factories. An architect needs knowledge of form and proportion as well as engineering principles and mathematics. Architects can work for design or construction firms, or for themselves. According to the BLS, the May 2008 median annual salary for architects is $76,750.

General Contractor

As the name implies, a general contractor takes overall responsibility for a construction project. A general contractor may be an individual or a large corporation. Because general contractors are mostly self-employed, there is no annual salary data available from the BLS.

Project Manager

Also known as construction managers, construction project managers plan, direct, and coordinate construction projects from residential to commercial buildings, as well as highways and bridges. They also oversee subcontractors. According to the BLS, the May 2008 median annual salary for construction managers is $79,860.

Assistant Project Manager

The assistant project manager position is often held by a new graduate with a degree in construction science or construction management. The assistant project manager works under the direction of the project manager, performing assigned tasks. According to a July 2007 BLS survey, the average job offer for a new graduate is $46,930 per year.

Superintendent

This is the first-line supervisor of construction trades workers such as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. A superintendent works under the general contractor or project manager, and manages the day-to-day assignment of work. According to the BLS, the May 2008 median annual salary for a superintendent is $58,140.

Estimator

A cost estimator develops material, labor, and overhead cost information for contract bids. These tasks are critical to a construction business's profitability. According to the BLS, the May 2008 median annual salary for construction estimators is $56,510.

Subcontractor

A subcontractor is a specialty contractor who works on a specific aspect of a project. Electricians, plumbers, drywall installers, painters, carpet layers, and glaziers are examples of subcontractors. Employers or managers of these workers are usually self-employed, so there is no salary data available from the BLS.

Inspector

Construction inspectors examine buildings, streets, bridges, and other structures to ensure that they are constructed according to specifications as well as building codes, zoning regulations, and ordinances. A degree in construction technology is helpful for this occupation. According to the BLS, the May 2008 median annual salary for this position is $50,180.

Safety Director

Ideally, a safety director is someone with a health and safety engineering background and degree. The safety director in a construction environment is responsible for reducing risk of injury by holding safety meetings and training, OSHA compliance training, and loss prevention programs. According to the BLS, the May 2008 median annual salary for this position is $72,490.

VP of Construction

The VP of Construction is usually a corporate position at the head of a division or department, responsible for devising strategies and policies to ensure that corporate objectives are met. According to the BLS, the May 2008 annual median salary for a VP of Construction is $91,570.

The construction industry is a vast enterprise, with jobs for contractors falling in small, one-person outfits or in large, international construction giants like Bechtel and Halliburton. As a construction engineer, you can choose a career close to home or in the far-flung corners of the world.