by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Construction Trades covers Construction Trades, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills In The Building, Inspecting, And Maintaining Of Structures And Related Properties. May Include Instruction In Masonry, Carpentry, Electrical And Power Transmission Installation, Building/construction Finishing, Management, Inspection And Other Construction-Related Applications. Examples: [Construction Craft Worker]. Continue reading for the key facts every general construction trades major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general construction trades programs.
In the U.S., general construction trades is a popular field of study, with 2,761 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Construction Trades Schools ranking analyzes these 81 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general construction trades students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general construction trades programs later in this article.
Studies in General Construction Trades build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general construction trades graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a general construction trades program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general construction trades major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general construction trades degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 615 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 519 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,321 |
People currently working in careers related to general construction trades tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 20.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.8% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general construction trades careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general construction trades prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general construction trades.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general construction trades.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general construction trades graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,670 |
| 4 years | $37,868 |
| 5 years | $45,686 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general construction trades graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general construction trades grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
With 81 different general construction trades programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general construction trades school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
