Depending on the size of the project, general contractors also can be called construction managers or project managers. Though they work from a main office, they often report to construction sites where they can monitor progress firsthand. They can work longer than the standard workweek when deadlines loom and might be on-call 24 hours a day for projects that proceed around the clock.

Basics

General contractors earned a mean $45.14 per hour, or $93,900 per year, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest-paid 10 percent of contractors received less than $24.35 per hour, or $50,650 per year, while the best-paid 10 percent made $71.67 per hour, or $149,070 per year. Construction managers prepare budgets, work schedules and strategies for completing projects. They choose and hire subcontractors and laborers, supervise their activities onsite, and report to superiors on progress. They collaborate with engineers, architects and other construction professionals. They must ensure that all legal requirements and safety regulations are met.

Industries

In 2011, nonresidential building construction provided almost a quarter of the 195,000 jobs for contractors, with average salaries at $45.41 per hour, or $94,450 per year. Building equipment contractors contained 14 percent of the positions at a mean $46.52 per hour, or $96,750 per year. Residential building construction ranked third for job opportunities with 13 percent of the jobs at a mean $43.50 per hour, or $90,490 per year. The highest-paying industry was computer systems design at a mean $65.76 per hour, or $136,770 per year, followed by traveler accommodations at a mean $62.75 per hour, or $130,510 per year.

States

The states with the most populations, California and Texas, boasted the most job opportunities for general contractors in 2011. The latter had 13 percent of the jobs at a mean $39.09 per hour, or $81,310 per year, followed by the former, with 11 percent of the jobs at a mean $51.81 per hour, or $107,760 per year. As for states with the highest-paying employers, New York topped the list with averages at $61.62 per hour, or $128,170 per year, followed by New Jersey with mean wages of $60.48 per hour, or $125,790 per year.

Training

Many general contractors have a bachelor’s degree in construction management, construction science, architecture, engineering or a related subject. This education is especially important for large and complex projects. Work experience also is desirable, and some contractors rise to their positions solely through their background in carpentry, masonry or general subcontracting. Voluntary certification is available from national organizations that can increase hiring possibilities and raise initial salaries.

About the Author

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.