10
Fast-Growing Careers
Be aware that demand for workers and the wages paid in
Occupation
% Growth New Jobs Created
(2002-2012) (2002-2012)
Architecture & Construction are both closely linked to the Texas
rigger 34.8% 400
economy. While times may be good at one point, an economic
downturn can lead to layoffs. The way to protect yourself is to
Tile and marble setter 31.0% 650
develop skills that make you unique in the job market.
drywall and ceiling Tile Installer 24.3% 2,600
electrician 21.8% 9,900
giving Back
In Architecture & Construction, be ready for interesting work
Interior designer 21.2% 900
and good pay. But keep in mind, Cagle says, that you owe
Installation, maintenance, and repair worker–Helper 21.0% 3,100
something to the profession as well. “Throughout history,” she
architect, except landscape and naval 20.6% 1,650 observes, “buildings have always affected culture as much as
security and fire alarm systems Installer 20.3% 650
they have reflected it. Architecture is as much art as it is science,
and I think there’s a tremendous responsibility to enhance the
painter, wallpaperer, plasterer, and stucco mason–Helper 20.0% 350
community with artistic design.”
cost estimator 19.7% 2,500
This is a projection of 10 fast-growing careers in Architecture & Construction in Texas from the year 2002 to
2012 and the number of new jobs created in each occupation. Note that while the percentage of growth in jobs
may be high, the actual number of jobs created may be low. For example, there will be only 350 new jobs for
more THan
Painter, Wallpaperer, Plasterer, and Stucco Mason Helpers created in Texas during the decade that the data
covers. Source: Texas Workforce Commission.
5,000
arcHITecTs,
All-Around good Workers
assocIaTes, former
What do you need to do to take advantage of the hiring boom in
Architecture & Construction?
arcHITecTs, and
“It’s really good to have a knack for science and math, but you
HonorarY members
also need to be proficient at reading and understanding,” says
belong To THe Texas
architect Lynne Cagle, now a project coordinator of trade and
industrial education at the University of North Texas in Denton. A
socIeTY of arcHITecTs.
successful career in construction or architecture depends on your
ability to work with others, and that requires people well-informed
in all subjects who can get along with almost anyone.
“A sense of history, art, and architecture history is important,”
says Cagle. “Then there’s also the marketing aspect of these careers,
10
Top-Paying Careers
so a good business sense is helpful. Basically, there are a lot of
people in this field who are good at being generalists.”
Occupation
Average Entry-Level Experienced
“Construction is a lot of teamwork,” Niemann adds, “so I
Wage Wage Wage
would think anyone who enjoys being part of sports teams and construction manager $32.68 $19.69 $39.17
things of that nature would develop strong teamwork skills.
architect, except landscape and naval $31.45 $19.49 $37.43
Communication is the most important aspect of this field—face-
to-face contact, not just email.”
cost estimator $26.34 $16.69 $31.17
landscape architect $24.11 $16.16 $28.08
Working Wages
mechanical drafter $23.13 $14.72 $27.33
Salaries in both architecture and construction depend on the
amount of training you have, the years of experience, and how
Interior designer $21.81 $13.16 $26.14
much responsibility you’re willing to assume. “The pay in
construction and building Inspector $19.83 $13.42 $23.04
construction depends on your level,” says Anthony. “Carpenters
surveyor $19.28 $10.99 $23.42
can make $38,000 a year. Masons might make approximately
architectural and civil drafter $18.89 $12.93 $21.88
$33,000. And of course, if you get into management positions and
ownership, it’s going to be much higher. Going into a company
rigger $17.60 $12.02 $20.38
after a reputable four-year university as a junior project manager, This is a chart of hourly wages for 10 of the top-paying careers in the Architecture & Construction cluster in
you’re going to start out right out of school at about $50,000
Texas. Note how entry-level wages are often much lower than pay for the average worker and experienced
workers in each profession. Source: Texas Workforce Commission.
a year.”
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