What is the fastest way for an aspiring construction professional to get the highest pay during her career?

Career advancement in construction involves working with firms who are growing, and who recognize that top talent should receive top pay. Construction job seekers can often track which firms pay the most by developing a professional network, and asking experienced construction recruiters in your unique construction marketplace.

At Hornberger Management Company we conduct regular surveys with the construction executives and the employers we deal. Our research shows that candidates who work for midsized construction firms (under $500 million) and job move (to other employers) between 3 to 4 times over the course of 20 years average 25% higher pay than those who remain with one firm. Construction executives who job move (to other employers) more than 5 times over the course of 20 years with midsized construction firms on average get similar pay as those who remain with one firm. Construction executives who work for large construction firms (over $500 million) and stay with 1 to 2 firms over the course of 20 years on average make the same pay as those with 3 or more job moves (to other employers).

These statistics indicate that job seekers in construction will usually earn more throughout their career if they job move to other midsized employers between 3 and 4 times over the course of 20 years, unless you work for a large construction firm.