Trades

Skilled trades workers will continue to be needed by businesses and homeowners for new construction, maintenance and repairs, and renovations. Many trades are affected by the state of the economy. During times of economic slowdown, construction and related building and renovation activity diminishes as companies cut their budgets. Homeowners also scale back on spending on home repairs and improvements unless these things are absolutely necessary. When the economy is strong, the opposite is true.

While employment growth rates will vary depending on the sector, overall, there will be employment opportunities in the years to come for those in skilled trades. The research firm, IBISWorld, forecasts growth for the carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and electrician services markets between 2025 and 2030. In general, the Department of Labor (DOL) predicts faster than average employment growth for construction trades workers through 2033, with an average of approximately 663,500 job openings occurring each year.

Electricians will have many job opportunities the next few years. The DOL predicts 11 percent employment growth through 2033, which is much faster than the average. Businesses and homes will need electricians for electrical wiring and installation. Some jobs will be available for electricians due to construction industry growth. Manufacturing plants also will require electricians to help them install and maintain electrical systems as well as maintain older equipment. Electricians who are skilled in electronic systems repair as well as in other areas, such as wiring of industrial components and installation of alternative power sources like solar photovoltaic, will have good job prospects.

Carpenters will experience average employment growth of 4 percent through 2033. Many of the job opportunities will result from the construction of new homes, as well as nonresidential buildings like factories. Carpenters will also be needed to help homeowners with their remodeling needs. Carpenters with experience in repairing and replacing roads and bridges will continue to be needed; job growth, however, will depend on the budgets of federal and state governments. The increased use of prefabricated and modular components may also affect employment growth for carpenters, as much of the manufacturing is done in separate facilities. Job openings will also vary based on geographic areas; there will be more opportunities for carpenters in areas that have large populations or that are experiencing population growth. The DOL reports that the states that employ the largest number of carpenters are California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters also will experience average job growth, with employment increasing by 6 percent through 2033, according to the DOL. More job opportunities are expected due to the increase in new building construction and stricter standards for efficient plumbing systems. Plumbers and related workers will be needed to install low-flow toilets and water heaters in buildings and homes. Pipefitters and steamfitters will be needed at power plants and factories for retrofitting work. There will also be job opportunities for sprinklerfitters, as buildings are now mandated to have fire suppression systems. Job opportunities are expected to be best for those with knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is digital diagramming of a building’s physical systems. As with other trades, the need for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters varies depending on the economy. When the construction industry slows, employment may decline, but there will always be a need to repair and maintain plumbing and pipe systems. Plumbers and related workers will find stable employment in manufacturing and in other areas outside of construction.

The outlook for masonry workers is expected to show little or no change through 2033, according to the DOL. Contributing factors include the use of prefabricated panels, the high cost of natural stone, and the popularity of polished concrete as an alternative to terrazzo. Nevertheless, the DOL anticipates that approximately 21,800 jobs will be available each year as existing masons retire or move to other jobs. In areas with growing populations, more apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, and other structures will be built in brick and block. Masons will also be needed for restoration work on brick buildings and on brick exteriors. Cement masons will be needed for new construction as well as repairs of highways, bridges, factories, and residential buildings.