According to recent studies from U.S. World News and Report and Ladders, the construction industry offers some of the top careers in the U.S. This certainly holds true in Boston, where local construction has experienced a steady boom over the past decade. The Labor Department recently confirmed this growth, predicting construction jobs will increase by roughly 11 percent or by more than 750,000 jobs over the next several years.

With so many career paths to explore within the construction industry, we want to break down some of the more popular positions highlighted in the recent reports:

Plumber (#1)
Ranked number one on the U.S. World News and Report list, plumbers develop blueprints to plan where pipes and fixtures should be plotted in a structure. In addition to facilitating water supply from pipes and large fixtures, such as bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets, plumbers ensure that water reaches appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.

Project Manager (#2)
Project managers plan and supervise a wide range of construction projects from start to finish. Those working in this senior position organize and oversee construction practices and ensure they are completed in a timely and efficient manner. Ranked number two on the list, Project Managers must be well-versed in all construction methodologies and procedures and able to coordinate a team of professionals in different disciplines to achieve the best results.  These seasoned experts work to ensure that all projects are delivered on time and on budget.

Electrician (#3)
Listed as number three, electricians specialize in electrical wiring that helps power both buildings and equipment. They work on everything from new construction projects, both individual homes, and commercial projects, to updates and upgrades in existing buildings. Additionally, skilled electricians can often install controls and telecommunications systems.

Solar Photovoltaic Installer (#4)
At number four, solar photovoltaic installers put together, implement and maintain solar panels, which convert rays from the sun into energy, on the rooftops of homes, buildings, and fields. Carpenter (#5)
Ranked number five, carpenters are skilled in the cutting, shaping, and installation of building materials during the construction. The carpentry profession is projected to grow by 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, resulting in up to 87,000 jobs.

Painter (#7)
Painters, listed at number seven, work in a variety of entities either inside or outside of buildings and homes, or on city infrastructure. According to studies, painters held 381,500 jobs in 2016 and it is projected that more than 23,400 painting jobs will be added by 2026.

Glazier (#8)
Glaziers, ranked number eight, are skilled in cutting, installing, and removing glass. Glaziers may work with glass in various surfaces and settings, such as windows, doors, shower doors, skylights, storefronts, display cases, mirrors, facades, interior walls, ceilings, and tabletops.

Sheet Metal Worker (#9)
Sitting at number nine, sheet metal workers make sure you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer by making, assembling or servicing the heating and cooling equipment in buildings. Sheet metal workers may specialize in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (also known as HVAC), or architectural, industrial and service sheet metal work.

To learn more about a career in any of these fields, please visit constructionjobs.com. Or check out JM Electrical’s website for the latest opportunities.