Careers

General Contracting

General construction management and coordination of subcontractors

$105k/yr median+5% growth (10-yr)27,600 openings/yrLicense requiredCSI 01

Wages & Job Outlook

$105k

Median wage

per year

$58k

Entry wage

per year

$175k

Top 10%

per year

28K

Annual openings

jobs per year

+5% projected job growth over 10 years — faster than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Environment

mixed

Overtime

seasonal

Physical demand

low

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Low hazard

Moderately cyclical

Overview

General contractors manage construction projects from start to finish, coordinating subcontractors, scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring code compliance. A GC license is required in most states.

Day in the Life

Morning: walk active job site, review progress against schedule. Midday: phone calls with subcontractors and suppliers, reviewing submittals. Afternoon: meet with client on change orders. Evening: update project management software and invoices.

How to Get Started

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Many GCs start in a specific trade and expand to project management over time

Duration: 7–10 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

Construction management associate or bachelor's degree programs

Duration: 2–4 yearsCost: High tuition

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

AGC and ABC programs provide structured training for the industry

Duration: variesCost: Moderate tuition

Find local general contracting training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Job & Training Resources

Best Places to Find Construction Jobs With No Experience →Best Construction Job Sites →Best Construction Staffing Agencies →Best Sites for Traveling Construction Jobs →

Apprenticeship.gov

The U.S. Department of Labor's official apprenticeship finder — search Registered Apprenticeship programs by trade and location and connect to local sponsors.

Build Your Future (NCCER)

NCCER's career-exploration hub for the construction trades — explore craft careers, pay, and training pathways, and find NCCER-accredited programs.

Chicago Women in Trades

A Chicago nonprofit offering free pre-apprenticeship training and support to help women enter and succeed in the skilled construction trades.

Browse all job & training resources →

Career Ladder

Construction Laborer

$38k/yr

0–2 yrs exp.

General site labor, materials handling

Construction Technician

$52k/yr

2–5 yrs exp.

Assists project managers, learns estimating

Project Manager

$75k/yr

5–10 yrs exp.

Manages projects independently, coordinates subs

Senior Project Manager

$95k/yr

10+ yrs exp.

Oversees multiple large projects simultaneously

General Contractor

$120k/yr

8+ yrs exp.

Licensed GC owning and operating construction business

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
AZ	Yes	B / B-2 General Contractor (Residential/Commercial classifications)	Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC)
CA	Yes	Class B General Building Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
FL	Yes	Certified General/Building Contractor (also Registered Contractor option)	Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
GA	Yes	General Contractor / Residential-Light Commercial Contractor	State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Georgia Secretary of State)
IL	No	–	–
MI	Yes	Residential Builder License	Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes
NC	Yes	General Contractor (Building / Residential classification)	NCLBGC (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors)
NJ	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor Registration (NJHIC)	NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (Office of the Attorney General)
NY	No	–	–
OH	No	–	–
PA	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA)	Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
TN	Yes	Contractor License (BC Building Construction / Residential)	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
TX	No	–	–
VA	Yes	Contractor License Class A / B / C (Commercial Building CBC or Residential Building RBC)	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
WA	Yes	Registered Construction Contractor (General)	Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman8 yrs

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$58k

Median$105k

Top 10%$175k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a general contracting business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

2.8×–8.3×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2.16×–2.85×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →