High-paying construction careers revealed! Which pay the most and are easiest to enter? The answer is a favourite among the Chinese community!

 

Construction is well known as a popular industry among New Zealand’s Chinese community, offering good incomes, high status and considerable potential for future growth. Depending on the type of construction work, prospects and pay are attractive, with wages increasing as experience grows. We have compiled a list of common, well-paid construction careers. Is your preferred occupation among them?

 

1

Carpenters

 

 

Carpenters mainly work with timber to repair or install building foundations, walls, roofs, windows and doors. Apprentice carpenters may start on the training minimum wage or the minimum wage, with pay increasing as their skills develop. Alongside basic knowledge of carpentry, mathematics and materials, they need to be able to interpret plans and understand building and safety regulations.

 

According to Archway, entry-level carpenters typically earn NZ$55,000 a year, while experienced carpenters can earn up to NZ$80,000 a year.

2

Plumbers

 

 

Plumbers install and repair plumbing systems in residential and commercial properties, including fixtures and household appliances associated with heating, cooling and sanitation systems. They also design and inspect plumbing systems, carry out diagnostic work and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

 

Entry-level plumbers typically earn NZ$55,000 a year, while experienced self-employed plumbers can earn NZ$80,000 to NZ$100,000 a year.

3

Quantity surveyors (QS)

 

 

Quantity surveyors measure and estimate the cost of resources required for construction projects. From interpreting construction drawings and helping prepare design proposals and pricing to communicating with suppliers, contractors, workers and clients and resolving disputes, quantity surveyors are essential to the successful completion of projects large and small. They calculate budgets based on clients’ requirements and prepare estimates for each construction stage, ensuring construction costs and production are managed as efficiently as possible.

 

Entry-level quantity surveyors typically earn NZ$46,000 to NZ$85,000 a year. More experienced quantity surveyors can earn NZ$95,000 to NZ$155,000 a year.

4

Site managers

 

 

Site managers ensure everything runs smoothly on a construction site. They have extensive knowledge of construction, from earthworks to interior fit-outs, and oversee work on site, arrange council inspections and manage site safety. The role requires excellent technical and planning skills, as well as commercial construction experience. Site managers must also follow site health and safety guidelines to keep everyone safe.

 

Average annual salaries range from NZ$105,000 to NZ$160,000, depending on project size and individual experience.

5

Project managers

 

 

Project managers play a key role in construction and are among New Zealand’s highest earners. They oversee every aspect of construction projects from start to finish, drawing on excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. Their responsibilities include resource allocation, planning, execution and project evaluation to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

 

Average annual salaries range from NZ$100,000 to NZ$200,000. Residential project managers earn average annual salaries of NZ$100,000 to NZ$150,000, while commercial project managers earn average salaries of NZ$150,000 to NZ$200,000.

 

These are all roles that many construction jobseekers aspire to, but in terms of workload and ease of entry, quantity surveying is undoubtedly a more accessible and economical option.

 

 

According to analysis from Careers, the New Zealand Government’s careers guidance website:

 

• Quantity surveying is a long-term skill shortage occupation in New Zealand, with strong industry demand and plentiful job opportunities.

• Compared with other construction disciplines, quantity surveying requires a shorter period of study and a smaller time commitment.

• As a “white-collar construction career”, quantity surveying involves little physical work, requiring skills such as measurement, estimation and communication.

• After entering the industry, quantity surveyors can also work towards becoming site managers or project managers, giving them good career prospects.

 

A quantity surveyor’s everyday work includes:

 

• Studying architects’ and engineers’ construction drawings

• Preparing bills of quantities for tendering, measuring and estimating material and labour costs

• Preparing cost reports before and during construction projects

• Visiting construction sites to monitor progress

• Acting as an arbitrator in disputes between clients and building contractors

• Providing value management services, comparing construction costs with those of similar buildings

 

If you want to enter construction but have concerns about physical work, or already work in the industry and want to develop your professional knowledge, consider a white-collar construction career as a quantity surveyor (QS). As New Zealand’s construction industry faces challenges, learning new knowledge and skills can open up a new career path.

 

Future Skills is a leading Category One education provider in New Zealand, dedicated to developing the skills and capabilities students need in the changing modern workplace. This year, Future Skills has introduced a limited-time offer for its Level 6 quantity surveying programme: students enrolling in July can take the first two courses free.

 

Level 6 quantity surveying programme

NZ Diploma in Construction

 (Quantity Surveying) (Level 6)

 

 

Future Skills’ Level 6 quantity surveying programme is recognised and accredited by professional bodies including the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Graduates can progress to professional membership and qualify as registered quantity surveyors.

 

After graduating, students can enter the industry directly as assistant quantity surveyors, or choose to enter the final year of a Bachelor of Construction degree. They can obtain a Bachelor of Construction qualification after 1 year of further study.

 

Future Skills offers part-time and full-time study options. Part-time courses use a blended online format, allowing students to continue studying while keeping their day jobs. Compared with other institutions, Future Skills offers a shorter programme, taking just 1.5 to 2 years to complete and graduate. The programme covers practical skills and subjects including an introduction to construction, law and contracts, materials and structural principles, environmental studies, residential construction, an introduction to measurement and estimation, financial management, procurement, cost planning and programming.