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Welders

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$42,270/yr

On average most workers make higher wages on the commercial side vs. the residential side.

About The Job

Welding is the process of fastening two pieces of metal together by softening with heat and applying pressure, which can also help to join beams during the construction of buildings, bridges and other structures. This versatile skill can equip welders to work in a number of industries like pipefitting or boilermaking.

What You'll Do

Dismantle metal assemblies or cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
Estimate materials needed for production and manufacturing and maintain required stocks of materials.
Gouge metals, using the air-arc gouging process.
Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.
Join parts such as beams and steel reinforcing rods in buildings, bridges, and highways, bolting and riveting as necessary.
Melt lead bars, wire, or scrap to add lead to joints or to extrude melted scrap into reusable form.
Mix and apply protective coatings to products.
Operate brazing and soldering equipment.
Signal crane operators to move large workpieces.
Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.

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Sheet Metal Workers Lineworkers

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Lineworkers

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

35,920/yr

A lineworker's work often requires working high in the air, occasionally up to 300 feet off the ground, and sometimes requires working in underground vaults or trenches.

About The Job

Lineworkers work on or around high voltage wires and equipment. They respond to and correct problems with the electrical distribution system during any hours and after severe weather. Also, they assist in the daily construction and maintenance of the distribution and transmission systems.

What You'll Do

Inspect and test power lines and other equipment using special reading and testing devices.
Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.
Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
Cut and peel lead sheathing and insulation from defective or newly installed cables and conduits prior to splicing.
Cut trenches for laying underground cables, using trenchers and cable plows.
Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.
Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.
Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.
Replace or straighten damaged poles.
Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.
Adhere to safety standards
Work with customers in the field.

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Welders Boilermakers

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Boilermakers

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$49,810/yr

The name "boilermaker" originates from the craft of making, installing, and repairing boilers, but that's not all that these tradesmen do.

About The Job

Boilermakers are responsible for more than just boilers. These workers install, maintain and repair a number of systems such as closed vats and other large vessels, air pollution equipment, blast furnaces, water treatment plants, smoke stacks, and hydroelectric power generation turbines.

What You'll Do

Assemble large vessels in an on-site fabrication shop prior to installation to ensure proper fit.
Clean pressure vessel equipment, using scrapers, wire brushes, and cleaning solvents.
Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.
Install refractory bricks or other heat-resistant materials in fireboxes of pressure vessels.
Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
Position, align, and secure structural parts or related assemblies to boiler frames, tanks, or vats of pressure vessels, following blueprints.
Shape or fabricate parts, such as stacks, uptakes, or chutes, to adapt pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or piping to premises, using heavy-metalworking machines such as brakes, rolls, or drill presses.
Shape seams, joints, or irregular edges of pressure vessel sections or structural parts to attain specified fit of parts, using cutting torches, hammers, files, or metalworking machines.
Straighten or reshape bent pressure vessel plates or structure parts, using hammers, jacks, or torches.
Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.

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Lineworkers Carpenters

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Carpenters

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$33,970/yr

Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About The Job

Carpenters work with wood and other materials to construct and maintain buildings, tunnels, bridges and other structures. Their duties can range from erecting scaffolding and constructing tunnel bracing to building concrete forms for tunnels, bridges and other projects.

What You'll Do

Apply shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative paneling to ceilings or walls.
Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work.
Construct forms or chutes for pouring concrete.
Cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, or wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base.
Fill cracks or other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool.
Maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports.
Perform minor plumbing, welding, or concrete mixing work.
Prepare cost estimates for clients or employers.
Select and order lumber or other required materials.
Work with or remove hazardous material.

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Boilermakers Electricians

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Electricians

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$43,270/yr

When installing, electricians use hand tools such as screwdrivers, conduit benders, pliers, and wire strippers. Later, they use ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters, and other equipment to test connections and ensure that components are compatible and safe.

About The Job

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

What You'll Do

Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
Construct or fabricate parts, using hand tools, according to specifications.
Direct or train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.
Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors.
Perform business management duties, such as maintaining records or files, preparing reports, or ordering supplies or equipment.
Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.
Provide assistance during emergencies by operating floodlights or generators, placing flares, or driving needed vehicles.
Provide preliminary sketches or cost estimates for materials or services.
Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.

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Carpenters Equipment Operators

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Equipment Operators

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$35,770/yr

The equipment they operate may include bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, cranes, rollers, forklifts, air compressors, milling machines, and asphalt spreaders.

About The Job

Equipment Operators are responsible for operating the machinery that is used to pave and surface roads as well as move heavy materials at construction sites.

What You'll Do

Compile cost estimates for jobs.
Drive tractor-trailer trucks to move equipment from site to site.
Operate compactors, scrapers, or rollers to level, compact, or cover refuse at disposal grounds.
Operate conveyors to remove grit and debris from digesters.
Operate road watering, oiling, or rolling equipment, or street sealing equipment, such as chip spreaders.
Perform specialized work, using equipment such as pile drivers, dredging rigs, drillers, or concrete pumpers.
Push other equipment when extra traction or assistance is required.
Talk to clients and study instructions, plans, or diagrams to establish work requirements.
Test atmosphere for adequate oxygen or explosive conditions when working in confined spaces.
Turn valves to control air or water output of compressors or pumps.

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Electricians Insulation Workers

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Insulation Workers

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$30,250/yr

Some types of insulation are fastened with adhesive. staples, or tape. while others, particularly in attics or exterior walls, are blown in using a machine.

About The Job

Insulation workers install the materials used to control and maintain the temperature of buildings and mechanical equipment.

What You'll Do

Cover and line structures with blown or rolled forms of materials to insulate against cold, heat, or moisture, using saws, knives, rasps, trowels, blowers, or other tools and implements.
Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments, or cement mortars.
Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
Fit, wrap, staple, or glue insulating materials to structures or surfaces, using hand tools or wires.
Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, power saws, knives, or scissors.
Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers and regulate flow of materials through nozzles.
Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
Read blueprints and select appropriate insulation, based on space characteristics and the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
Remove old insulation such as asbestos, following safety procedures.

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Equipment Operators Masons

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Masons

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$33,490/yr

Cement masons work with concrete-one of the most durable materials used in construction - to place and finish concrete walls, foundations, beams, columns, and panels.

About The Job

Brick and blockmasons bind building materials such as brick, concrete block, cinder block, structural tile, and terracotta block with mortar and other substances to construct or repair walls, floors, fireplaces, and other structures.

What You'll Do

Apply muriatic acid to clean surface, and rinse with water.
Build wooden molds, and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools.
Cut metal division strips, and press them into terrazzo base so that top edges form desired design or pattern.
Fabricate concrete beams, columns, and panels.
Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish.
Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine.
Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface.
Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation, and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.

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Insulation Workers Painters

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Painters

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$24,710/yr

The top skills for painters include active listening, attention to detail, and hand-eye coordination.

About The Job

Paint, coat, or decorate articles such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.

What You'll Do

Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.
Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.
Cut out sections in surfaces of materials to be inlaid with decorative pieces, using patterns and knives or scissors.
Immerse workpieces into coating materials for specified times.
Melt or heat coating materials to specified temperatures.
Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
Position and glue decorative pieces in cutout sections of workpieces, following patterns.
Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
Rinse, drain, or wipe coated workpieces to remove excess coating material or to facilitate setting of finish coats on workpieces.
Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.

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Masons Pipefitters & Plumbers

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Pipefitters & Plumbers

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$24,280/yr

Many tradesmen choose to specialize in either pipefitting or plumbing.

About The Job

Pipe systems are used to transport water, steam, gas, waste, and other materials, and pipefitters and plumbers are responsible for keeping these systems maintained according to specifications and codes.

What You'll Do

Clean and renew steam traps.
Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.
Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
Fill pipes with sand or resin to prevent distortion, and hold pipes during bending and installation.
Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.
Install gas burners to convert furnaces from wood, coal, or oil.
Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.

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Painters Road Builders

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Road Builders

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$72,950/yr

The equipment they operate may include bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, cranes, rollers, forklifts, air compressors, milling machines, and asphalt spreaders.

About The Job

Equipment Operators are responsible for operating the machinery that is used to pave and surface roads as well as move heavy materials at construction sites.

What You'll Do

Analyze manufacturing processes or byproducts to identify engineering solutions to minimize the output of carbon or other pollutants.
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographical or geologic data to plan projects.
Conduct studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify engineering problems and assess potential project impact.
Design energy efficient or environmentally sound civil structures.
Design or engineer systems to efficiently dispose of chemical, biological, or other toxic wastes.
Develop or implement engineering solutions to clean up industrial accidents or other contaminated sites.
Direct engineering activities ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction.
Identify environmental risks and develop risk management strategies for civil engineering projects.
Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions.

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Pipefitters & Plumbers Sheet Metal Workers

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Sheet Metal Workers

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Median Wage

$37,130/yr

Some workers specialize in a single area such as heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration.

About The Job

Sheet metal workers fabricate, install, and maintain heating and air conditioning systems as well as perform architectural sheet metal work and a variety of other jobs involving sheet metal.

What You'll Do

Construct components for high-performance wind turbine systems.
Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
Fasten roof panel edges and machine-made molding to structures, nailing or welding pieces into place.
Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
Inspect individual parts, assemblies, and installations for conformance to specifications and building codes, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
Install green architectural sheet metal components, such as cool roofs or hot or cold walls.
Perform building commissioning activities by completing mechanical inspections of a building's water, lighting, or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Perform sheet metal work necessary for solar panel installations.
Secure metal roof panels in place, and interlock and fasten grooved panel edges.
Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

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Road Builders Welders