The construction industry is one of the most important industries in the United States. Construction generates billions of dollars and provides millions of jobs annually. The construction industry is growing, too, so if you?ve ever considered working in construction, there?s never been a better time to find a job than right now.

Construction is one of the biggest contributors to the U.S. economy.
The U.S. construction industry boasts a market share of about 10%, making it the second largest construction market in the world. RER Magazine reports that in October 2007, construction spending ? including both residential and nonresidential work ? was about $1.17 trillion.

Heavy equipment has gotten safer to use.
Technologies like tractor cab enclosures, forklift safety cages, and other rollover protection ? also known as ROPS, which stands for rollover protective structure ? have all made heavy equipment safer to use. New guidelines from OSHA on the safe use of heavy equipment have also reduced the fatality rate for construction laborers since 2003, making construction the safest it has ever been. For instance, during work on power lines, man baskets for cranes must maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from the nearest line to prevent electrocution.

Over 8 million people work in construction, and the field is growing.
In 2010, the National Association of Home Builders reported that 8.7 million Americans were employed in the construction industry. In their 2016 Construction Outlook, Dodge Data and Analytics projected 6% growth for this industry and estimated the value of new construction projects at $712 billion.

There are a number of ways to get into construction work.
Some colleges and technical schools offer certifications and degrees in construction, but you don?t have to go to school to find work. Some people pursue apprenticeships in this field, while others find entry-level work and get paid to learn the necessary skills on the job.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay for a construction worker is about $28, and construction workers aren?t short of work ? most clock almost 40 hours a week. The good wages of construction jobs combined with safety features like rollover protection, forklift baskets, and man baskets for cranes make today a great time to consider working in construction.