Page 8 - TransWIFall2025

8 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com

Careers in Highway Construction

Cement Mason
Heavy Equipment Skilled Laborer Concrete Finisher
Cement masons smooth and finish
Operator Laborers perform various tasks Concrete finishers pour and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as
Heavy equipment operators are on road construction sites, including concrete surfaces for roads, highways, floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs
responsible for running the heavy digging trenches, pouring concrete, and and other construction projects. This using a variety of hand and power tools.
machinery used in road construction laying asphalt. This job requires physi- job requires high skill and experience in They may align forms for sidewalks,
projects, such as bulldozers, graders, cal strength and the ability to work in all working with concrete. curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use
and excavators. This job requires a weather conditions. The median annual wage for saws to cut expansion joints.
high level of skill and experience, but The median annual wage for skilled masonry workers was $53,010 in May The median annual wage for
it can be gratifying for those who enjoy construction laborers was $44,310 in 2023. Cement masons was $50,720 in May
working with large equipment. May 2023. 2023.
The median annual wage for con- Surveyor
struction equipment operators was Construction Foreman
$55,270 in May 2023. Surveyors are responsible for
measuring and mapping land for road A construction foreman plans,
construction projects. This job requires directs, or coordinates, usually through
a high skill level in using specialized subordinate supervisory personnel,
equipment and software. activities concerned with the construc-
The median annual wage for sur- tion and maintenance of structures,
veyors was $68,540 in May 2023. facilities, and systems. They also par-
ticipate in the conceptual development
Electrician of construction projects and oversee the
Electricians are responsible for organization, scheduling, budgeting,
installing and maintaining electrical and implementation for the life of the
systems on road construction projects. project.
This job requires high skill and training The median annual wage for a con-
in working with electrical systems. struction foreman was $104,900 in May
The median annual wage for elec- 2023.
tricians was $61,590 in May 2023.

Pipe Installers
Truck Driver Pipe installers place and repair
Truck drivers transport materials underground pipes for water, gas, and
and equipment to and from construction sewer systems. This job requires physi-
sites. This job requires a commercial cal strength and the ability to work in
driver’s license (CDL) and the ability to tight spaces.
operate large vehicles safely. The median annual wage for
The median annual wage for heavy plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
and tractor-trailer truck drivers was was $61,550 in May 2023.
$54,320 in May 2023.
Asphalt Paver Operator
Asphalt paver operators are respon-
sible for laying asphalt on roads,
highways, and other surfaces. This job
requires experience operating heavy Construction and Building
machinery and a high level of skill in Construction and
working with asphalt. Maintenance Painter Inspector
The median annual wage for con- Construction and maintenance paint- Construction and building inspec-
struction equipment operators was ers paint walls, equipment, buildings, tors inspect structures using engineering
$55,270 in May 2023. bridges, and other structural surfaces, skills to determine structural soundness
using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. and compliance with specifications,
They may remove old paint to prepare sur- building codes, and other regulations.
faces prior to painting and mix colors or Inspections may be general in nature or
oils to obtain desired color or consistency. may be limited to a specific area.
The median annual wage for con- The median annual wage for con-
struction and maintenance painters was struction and building inspectors was
$47,700 in May 2023. $67,700 in May 2023.