Careers: electrician, HVAC technician, plumber, carpenter, and welder. Majors: Construction Management, Electrical Technology, HVAC Technology, Welding Technology, and Building Science and Construction Technology.
College majors for construction and skilled trades
Construction Management
Teaches you to plan, budget, schedule and supervise construction projects.
Electrical Technology
Prepares you to install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical systems.
HVAC Technology
Teaches you to install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Welding Technology
Teaches you to join and cut metal using welding processes used in industry.
Building Science and Construction Technology
Studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well.
Carpentry
Teaches you to frame, finish and build structures from wood and other materials.
Project Management
Teaches you to plan, schedule, budget and deliver projects of any kind.
Civil Engineering
Designs roads, bridges, buildings, water systems and other infrastructure.
Engineering Technology
An applied, hands-on engineering degree focused on building, testing and maintaining systems.
Careers in construction and skilled trades
Electrician
Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
- Typical training: 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
HVAC Technician
Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.
- Typical training: 6–24 months
Plumber
Install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.
- Typical training: 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
Carpenter
Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.
- Typical training: 3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Welder
Join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.
- Typical training: 3–18 months
Construction Manager
Plan, budget and run construction projects from groundbreaking to final inspection.
- Typical training: 4 years plus field experience
Construction Laborer
Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
- Typical training: Days to weeks (on the job)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.
- Typical training: Months to 4 years
Construction Foreman
Lead construction crews on the job site day to day.
- Typical training: 5+ years in a trade
Skills these careers use
- Blueprint reading
- Reading blueprints and schematics
- NEC code knowledge
- Conduit bending
- Wiring and terminations
- Refrigeration cycle diagnostics
Minors that fit this interest
- Construction Management: Adds knowledge of how construction projects are planned, priced and built.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what electricians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: reading blueprints and schematics, NEC code knowledge, and conduit bending
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Construction and Skilled Trades
A self-paced online course on what HVAC technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: refrigeration cycle diagnostics, electrical troubleshooting, and brazing and refrigerant handling
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Construction and Skilled Trades
A self-paced online course on what plumbers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: reading plumbing plans, plumbing code knowledge (IPC/UPC), and soldering, brazing and joining pipe
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Construction and Skilled Trades
A self-paced online course on what carpenters do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: blueprint reading, measuring and layout, and framing
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Construction and Skilled Trades
Construction and Skilled Trades: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in construction and skilled trades?
Careers connected to construction and skilled trades include electrician, HVAC technician, plumber, carpenter, welder, construction manager, construction laborer, and heavy equipment operator.
What should I major in if I am interested in construction and skilled trades?
Majors connected to construction and skilled trades include Construction Management, Electrical Technology, HVAC Technology, Welding Technology, Building Science and Construction Technology, and Carpentry. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What construction and skilled trades careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include electrician, HVAC technician, plumber, carpenter, welder, and construction laborer. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which construction and skilled trades careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include construction manager and cost estimator. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in construction and skilled trades?
Skills that come up often in these careers include blueprint reading, reading blueprints and schematics, NEC code knowledge, conduit bending, wiring and terminations, and refrigeration cycle diagnostics, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in construction and skilled trades?
Minors connected to construction and skilled trades include Construction Management.
How do I start a career in construction and skilled trades?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore construction and skilled trades careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in construction and skilled trades involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to construction and skilled trades?
Yes. Related online trainings include Electrician Training, HVAC Technician Training, Plumber Training, and Carpenter Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to construction and skilled trades?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.