Construction
Construction Sector
The construction sector comprises businesses primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects. The construction industry regularly employs plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, and other trade workers—all who earn a good salary.
In Monterey County, there are 1,895 construction businesses employing nearly 6,900 workers, and it is a business sector that is expected to continue to provide good paying job opportunities.
Pre-Apprenticeship Training
If you want to pursue a building trades career, an important first step is participating in a pre-apprenticeship program. The MCWDB, working with Local Building Trades Unions and contractors, has a 350-hour pre-apprenticeship training program. Graduates of our pre-apprenticeship program are highly sought after by contractors, and they have been very successful in being able to enter building trades apprenticeship programs.
Construction Wages in Monterey County, California
| SOC | Occupation | Entry Level Hourly | Annual | Medium Hourly | Medium Annual | Experienced Hourly | Experienced Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47-2021 | Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $ 24.18 | $50,300 | $36.83 | $76,600 | $43.85 | $91,200 |
| 47-2031 | Carpenters | $ 22.21 | $46,200 | $31.92 | $66,400 | $40.19 | $83,600 |
| 47-2051 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $ 23.99 | $49,900 | $31.30 | $65,100 | $38.13 | $79,300 |
| 47-2061 | Construction Laborers | $ 18.32 | $38,100 | $23.37 | $48,600 | $28.65 | $59,600 |
| 47-2071 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $ 22.50 | $46,800 | $31.30 | $65,100 | $38.61 | $80,300 |
| 47-2073 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $ 27.12 | $56,400 | $34.09 | $70,900 | $42.21 | $87,800 |
| 47-2111 | Electricians | $ 22.45 | $46,700 | $32.50 | $67,600 | $42.84 | $89,100 |
| 47-2141 | Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $ 20.67 | $43,000 | $24.71 | $51,400 | $30.00 | $62,400 |
| 47-2152 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $ 24.13 | $50,200 | $31.06 | $64,600 | $41.30 | $85,900 |
| 47-2211 | Sheet Metal Workers | $ 21.68 | $45,100 | $36.83 | $76,600 | $48.27 | $100,400 |
| 47-2221 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $ 21.01 | $43,700 | $30.72 | $63,900 | $39.18 | $81,500 |
Source: JobsEQ®