Are you in search of a secure, high-paying career? If so, a career in construction could be the perfect fit for you.

New research indicates that trades made up 8 of the top 10 industries with the highest pay increases over the last year.

So, which roles are seeing the highest increases, and what is behind this trend?

Which trades are experiencing the largest increases?

Over the past year, engineering roles have experienced some of the largest increases in wages. Environmental and employee safety engineers saw the second-largest increase in wages. On average, their wages increased by 13.2% over the last year, taking them to an average salary of $85,000.

Engineering design services were next on the list. Their salaries increased by an average of 13.1%, providing them with an average wage of $116,000.

However, it wasn’t just engineers who experienced significant pay increases. Experienced repair and maintenance trades saw an average wage increase of 12 per cent, while entry-level repair and maintenance trades had an average wage increase of 8 per cent, rounding out the top 10.

Rising wages are nothing new in the construction industry, having been experienced over the past few years. Since 2019, wages of electricians and mechanics have risen by 23 per cent. Meanwhile, the average salary of a machine operator has increased by 28 per cent over the same period. The wages of excavator operators have increased by 29 per cent.

What is driving this trend?

The increase in the wages of construction workers is primarily driven by skills shortages experienced in the sector. Master Builders Australia estimates an additional 500,000 construction workers are required over the next three to five years to meet the industry’s needs. These shortages have been driven by an increased demand for construction workers, resulting from several factors. These include:

· Government infrastructure projects: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of publicly funded infrastructure projects. For example, Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop, which is due for competition in 2053 and the Western Sydney Airport, which is due to open in 2026.
· Energy transition: Australia’s energy transition has also resulted in a high demand for skilled workers. The Federal Government has pledged to achieve net zero by 2050 and power 82% of the nation’s electricity grid by 2030. It is estimated that 2 million workers will be needed to achieve these goals. This includes 53,000 to 84,000 more electricians.
· Increasing housing supply: In a bid to address a severe shortage of houses in the country, the Federal government recently announced its National Housing Accord, an ambitious plan to build 1.2 million new homes in Australia by 2029. To meet this target, the country must significantly increase the number of houses it builds each year. To do so, it is estimated the country will require almost 100,000 additional residential construction workers

Addressing skills shortages in the construction industry isn’t easy. Many construction roles require significant skills and experience and, therefore, have high barriers to entry. While many engineering roles may attract a high number of applicants, many of these do not have the skills or work experience that employers are seeking.

Experts say there has never been a better time to increase your earning potential by pursuing a trade. Regardless of your skillset or level of experience, the construction industry offers a diverse range of career options.

Are you looking for a career in construction? Construction Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services tailored to the construction industry. These include our resume and selection criteria writing service.

Article References

Black, E (14 November 2024 ) ‘The 10 jobs that landed the biggest pay rises in financial year 2024’, Financial Review, accessed 19 November 2024.

Mansfield, E (24 March 2024 ) ‘90,000 extra construction workers needed for goal of 1.2 million new homes, industry says’, ABC News, accessed 19 November 2024.

Monaghan, T (25 July 2024) ‘Australia’s workforce shortage: A potential obstacle on the road to net zero‘, Australian Energy Council, accessed 19 November 2024.

Nine News (2 November 2024 ) ‘The 10 trades with the fastest growing wages in Australia’, Nine News, accessed 19 November 2024.