Construction & Skilled Trades

Plumbers install, maintain, and repair water supply lines, drainage systems, gas lines, and related fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The work involves reading blueprints and building codes, measuring and cutting pipes, assembling and installing pipes and fittings, testing systems for leaks using pressure gauges, and troubleshooting problems that range from simple clogs to complex system failures. Plumbers work in diverse environments—from new construction sites to century-old buildings with outdated systems—requiring them to adapt their approach to each unique situation. The job demands physical stamina for working in cramped spaces, excellent problem-solving abilities for diagnosing issues that aren't immediately visible, and strong customer service skills for explaining technical problems to homeowners. Many plumbers specialize in areas like gas fitting, medical gas systems, fire sprinklers, or green plumbing technologies.

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, factories, and other structures. The work encompasses reading technical diagrams and blueprints, installing wiring and electrical components, using testing devices like ohmmeters and voltmeters to check connections, inspecting electrical systems for compliance with codes, and diagnosing malfunctions. Electricians must stay current with evolving electrical codes, which vary by jurisdiction and are updated regularly for safety. The role spans diverse specializations—residential wirers focus on homes, commercial electricians handle office buildings and retail spaces, industrial electricians work with heavy machinery, and lineworkers maintain the power grid. The explosion of smart home technology, EV charging infrastructure, and solar integration has created new specialties requiring electricians to continually update their skills. Work conditions vary from new construction to renovating systems in buildings that may be decades old.

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The work involves reading blueprints and technical specifications, installing ductwork, piping, and electrical components, charging systems with refrigerants, testing system performance, diagnosing malfunctions using specialized tools, and performing preventive maintenance. Modern HVAC work increasingly incorporates smart thermostats, zoning systems, and building automation integration. Technicians must understand electrical systems, plumbing principles, refrigeration cycles, airflow dynamics, and indoor air quality. The job varies between routine maintenance visits, new construction installations, and emergency repair calls for systems that have failed during extreme weather. Specializations include commercial refrigeration, industrial climate control, clean room environments, and energy efficiency optimization. Physical demands include working in tight spaces like attics and crawlspaces, handling heavy equipment, and exposure to temperature extremes.

Carpenters construct, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials. Finish and custom carpenters specialize in detailed work including custom cabinetry, built-in furniture, millwork, trim installation, staircases, and architectural woodwork. The role requires reading blueprints, measuring and cutting materials precisely, joining materials using nails, screws, adhesives, and joinery techniques, and ensuring finished work meets aesthetic and structural standards. Carpenters must understand different wood species, their properties, and appropriate applications. The work spans new construction, renovation, restoration of historic buildings, and custom furniture fabrication. Each project presents unique challenges—fitting trim around irregular walls, matching existing woodwork in older homes, or translating design concepts into functional pieces. Physical demands include lifting materials, extended standing, and working at heights or in awkward positions.

Welders join metal parts together using various welding techniques including MIG, TIG, stick welding, and flux-cored processes. The work spans construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospace, pipeline, and repair industries. Welders read blueprints, calculate dimensions, inspect structures for defects, select appropriate materials and methods, prepare metal surfaces, operate welding equipment, and verify weld quality through visual inspection and testing. Advanced positions involve welding exotic metals, working on pressure vessels, or performing structural work requiring certification to specific codes. Work environments vary dramatically—from climate-controlled fabrication shops to outdoor construction sites, underwater structures, and confined spaces. Physical demands include prolonged positioning, exposure to heat and fumes, and wearing protective equipment. Career advancement includes specialized certifications, inspection roles, and welding engineering positions.

Solar panel installers assemble, install, and maintain photovoltaic systems on rooftops and other structures, connecting panels to electrical systems and the grid. The work involves measuring and preparing installation sites, assembling support structures, mounting panels, connecting electrical components, installing inverters and monitoring systems, and ensuring installations meet electrical codes and manufacturer specifications. Installers work on residential rooftops, commercial buildings, and ground-mounted arrays. The job requires understanding electrical systems, roofing principles, and solar-specific technology. Physical demands include carrying panels, working at heights, and exposure to weather. The rapidly evolving solar industry means installers must stay current on new panel technologies, mounting systems, and code requirements. Work varies between new installations and maintenance/repair of existing systems.

Roofers install, repair, and replace roofs using various materials including asphalt shingles, metal panels, tile, slate, and membrane systems. The work involves inspecting roof structures for damage, measuring roof dimensions, removing old materials, preparing surfaces, installing underlayment and weatherproofing, cutting and fitting roofing materials, and ensuring proper drainage and ventilation. Roofers work on residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. The physical demands are significant—carrying heavy materials up ladders, working on steep slopes, and exposure to heat, cold, and weather conditions. Safety is paramount given the fall risks inherent in roofing work. Specializations include commercial membrane roofing, historic slate and tile restoration, solar-ready installations, and green/living roofs. The work requires understanding different material properties, regional weather considerations, and building code requirements.

Landscapers design, install, and maintain outdoor spaces including lawns, gardens, trees, and hardscape features for residential, commercial, and public properties. The work encompasses mowing and trimming, planting and transplanting, irrigation system installation and maintenance, mulching and fertilizing, pest and weed control, hardscape construction (patios, walkways, retaining walls), and seasonal services like leaf removal and snow clearing. Landscape designers create plans balancing aesthetics, functionality, environmental conditions, and client preferences. Maintenance crews execute ongoing care programs. The job involves physical labor in varying weather conditions, equipment operation, and knowledge of plants, soils, and regional growing conditions. Work ranges from routine maintenance accounts to custom design-build projects transforming properties. Client relationships often span years with recurring service visits.

General contractors manage construction projects from planning through completion, coordinating subcontractors, materials, schedules, and budgets to deliver finished projects. The work involves preparing cost estimates, hiring and supervising subcontractors, obtaining permits, ensuring code compliance, managing project schedules, solving problems that arise during construction, and maintaining communication with clients. GCs work on residential renovations, new home construction, commercial build-outs, and larger development projects. The role requires understanding all construction trades sufficiently to coordinate their work and identify problems. Successful contractors balance technical knowledge with business acumen, project management skills, and client relationship abilities. Projects involve countless decisions affecting quality, timeline, and budget, requiring judgment about trade-offs and creative problem-solving when unexpected issues arise.

Pipefitters install and maintain piping systems that carry chemicals, acids, gases, and other materials in industrial and manufacturing settings, often involving high-pressure and high-temperature systems. The work requires reading blueprints, cutting and threading pipe, fitting and welding components, testing systems for leaks, and ensuring compliance with safety codes. Pipefitters work in power plants, refineries, chemical facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, shipyards, and commercial buildings. Systems include steam, compressed air, hydraulics, process piping, and fire suppression. The work demands precision—systems carry hazardous materials or operate under extreme conditions where failures have serious consequences. Specialized knowledge includes different pipe materials, fitting methods, and code requirements for various applications. Physical demands include working in industrial environments, confined spaces, and elevated positions.

Wind turbine technicians inspect, diagnose, adjust, and repair wind turbines that convert wind energy into electrical power. The work involves climbing towers that can reach 300 feet or higher, performing scheduled maintenance on mechanical and electrical components, troubleshooting malfunctions using diagnostic software and testing equipment, and replacing worn parts like brake pads, bearings, and gearbox components. Technicians work with complex systems including generators, pitch and yaw mechanisms, hydraulic systems, and sophisticated electronic controls that optimize power output based on wind conditions. The job requires working in nacelles—the housing atop the tower containing the generator and gearbox—where space is cramped and conditions can be challenging. Technicians also perform ground-level work including foundation inspections, electrical connections, and control system programming. Modern wind farms increasingly use SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems that technicians must understand for remote monitoring and diagnostics. The role demands physical fitness for climbing, comfort working at extreme heights, and the technical knowledge to service both mechanical and electronic systems.

Elevator installers and repairers assemble, install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, chairlifts, moving walkways, and other lifting equipment in buildings. The work involves reading blueprints and electrical schematics, installing electrical wiring and control systems, assembling elevator cars and counterweights, aligning guide rails, adjusting safety mechanisms, troubleshooting malfunctions, and performing required safety inspections. Modern elevators incorporate sophisticated electronic controls, variable frequency drives, destination dispatch systems, and computerized monitoring that technicians must understand alongside traditional mechanical and electrical components. The work requires operating in elevator shafts—confined vertical spaces with significant fall hazards—as well as machine rooms housing motors and control equipment. Elevator technicians must understand complex safety systems including door interlocks, overspeed governors, and emergency brakes that protect passengers. The role demands exceptional attention to detail given the life-safety implications of elevator work, strong mechanical and electrical aptitude, and comfort working in heights and confined spaces.

Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels that hold liquids and gases in power plants, refineries, factories, and ships. The work involves reading blueprints and specifications, using rigging equipment to position heavy components, fitting and bolting together components, welding seams and joints using various welding techniques, testing vessels for leaks and weaknesses, and performing maintenance to extend equipment life. Boilermakers work on massive industrial equipment—power plant boilers can be several stories tall—requiring them to work at heights, in confined spaces, and with heavy materials. The job demands expertise in multiple welding processes, knowledge of metallurgy and pressure vessel codes, and the ability to interpret complex technical specifications. Many boilermakers work on traveling repair crews, moving between job sites as maintenance needs arise. The physical demands are significant, involving heavy lifting, awkward positions, and exposure to heat, noise, and hazardous materials requiring protective equipment.

Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form buildings, bridges, and other structures. The work encompasses unloading and positioning steel beams using cranes and rigging equipment, connecting beams with bolts or welding, installing metal decking, placing reinforcing bars (rebar) in concrete forms, and erecting precast concrete components. Structural ironworkers assemble the steel frameworks of high-rises, bridges, and industrial facilities, often working at extreme heights on narrow beams. Reinforcing ironworkers position and secure the rebar that strengthens concrete structures. The job requires reading blueprints to understand how pieces fit together, operating rigging equipment to position heavy steel precisely, and working safely in inherently dangerous conditions. Physical strength and stamina are essential for handling heavy materials in demanding positions. Ironworkers develop expertise in specific structural systems—some specialize in bridge work, others in high-rise construction, and still others in ornamental iron that combines structural function with architectural aesthetics.

Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, storefronts, display cases, and other structures. The work involves reading blueprints and specifications, measuring and cutting glass to fit openings, preparing frames and applying weatherproofing, lifting and positioning glass panels that can weigh hundreds of pounds, securing glass with clips and sealants, and installing mirrors and decorative glass elements. Modern glazing work increasingly involves specialized products—tempered safety glass, insulated units for energy efficiency, laminated glass for security, and decorative glass for architectural effect. Commercial glaziers work on curtain wall systems that form the exterior enclosures of modern buildings, requiring precision installation of complex aluminum framing and glass panel systems. Residential glaziers replace windows and install shower enclosures, mirrors, and tabletops. The job demands physical strength for handling heavy glass, precision for cutting and fitting, and attention to safety when working with a material that can cause serious injury.

Tile and stone setters install ceramic, marble, granite, and other tile and stone materials on floors, walls, countertops, and other surfaces. The work involves preparing surfaces by leveling and waterproofing, measuring and marking layouts, cutting tiles to fit using wet saws and hand tools, applying mortar or adhesive, setting tiles in precise patterns, and grouting joints. Tile setters work on diverse projects—bathroom and kitchen remodels, commercial floors in restaurants and hospitals, swimming pools, decorative backsplashes, and elaborate custom installations using expensive natural stone. The job requires spatial reasoning to lay out patterns that look balanced and professional, mathematical skills for calculating material needs and laying out geometric patterns, and artistic sensibility for custom work. Physical demands include kneeling for extended periods, lifting heavy stone materials, and working in awkward positions. Attention to detail is paramount—visible installation flaws cannot be hidden once tile is set.

Insulation workers install and replace insulation materials in buildings and mechanical systems to reduce energy loss and control temperature. The work encompasses measuring and cutting insulation materials, fitting insulation into wall cavities, around pipes, and over ductwork, applying vapor barriers, and sealing joints to prevent air leaks. Mechanical insulation workers focus on industrial pipes, tanks, and equipment in refineries, power plants, and manufacturing facilities, working with specialized materials that withstand extreme temperatures. Building insulation workers install fiberglass, foam, and cellulose in residential and commercial construction. The job requires working in attics, crawlspaces, and other confined areas with poor ventilation, often in protective equipment. Workers must understand building science—how moisture moves through structures, where thermal bridging occurs, and how insulation interacts with other building systems. The physical demands include carrying materials into tight spaces, working overhead for extended periods, and tolerating the discomfort of hot, dusty environments.