As our area grows, so does the need for new construction. Construction employees are in high demand due to both economic growth and the retirement of experienced workers. These two factors mean the projected 10 year demand for construction workers will create more than 5,000 jobs.
Almost 13,000 people in Northwest Arkansas were employed in construction as of 2015. Those working in construction careers included carpenters, heavy equipment operators, steel workers, supervisors, estimators, and project managers. Many occupations in the construction industry pay above-average wages and do not require a degree.
Springdale and Northwest Arkansas are home to dozens of construction companies. Some focus on certain types of projects, like building houses. Others cater to commercial projects, constructing buildings for businesses, and fabricating steel beams to be used in the construction process. Still other construction companies specialize in infrastructure projects, such as the ongoing construction to widen Interstate 49.
Opportunities in the construction industry go far beyond swinging a hammer, an outdated image that usually comes to mind when you think about construction workers. Careers in this sector offer a wide range of positions from estimators to equipment operators.
Pay rates in the construction industry can vary from $ 9.50 for entry-level employees to $ 21 per hour for skilled tradespeople. Construction supervisors can make significantly more, with some topping $ 100,000 a year. This in-demand career field has led to many schools including Har-Ber High School, the Don Tyson School of Innovation and NorthWest Arkansas Community College offering construction trades programs.
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