U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1

Green Jobs: Green Construction

Careers in Green Construction

Drew Liming

Buildings constructed today are very different 

from those built 100 years ago. As interest in 

protecting the environment grows, “green,” or 

sustainable, buildings have become more commonplace. 

At first glance, these buildings might not appear very different from their predecessors, but they feature specialized designs and materials to limit their environmental 

impact. Creating these new buildings requires skilled 

workers—such as architects, construction managers, and 

carpenters—with knowledge of new design and construction techniques. 

Green construction is the practice of erecting buildings and using processes that are environmentally 

responsible and resource efficient. Green buildings limit 

their environmental impact by conserving as much energy and water as possible and are constructed of recycled 

or renewable materials in order to achieve maximum 

resource efficiency. 

Green construction has grown dramatically over the 

past few years. McGraw-Hill Construction estimated 

the value of green nonresidential building construction 

in the United States to be $3 billion in 2005.1 In 2010, 

McGraw-Hill placed the value between $43 billion and 

$54 billion, more than 14 times the value just 5 years 

earlier.2 The value grew despite a slump—the recession of 2007–09—in the overall construction market. 

McGraw-Hill estimates that by 2015 the green nonresidential building market will be worth between $120 

billion and $145 billion.3 The construction of new, large 

projects, such as hospitals, office complexes, and federal 

buildings—increasingly built to green standards—will 

continue the growth of green construction. 

As the size of the industry grows, so will its workforce. According to a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Booz Allen Hamilton study, green construction supported more than 1 million workers in the green 

construction industry between 2000 and 2008. USGBC 

projects this figure to rise to 3.3 million between 2009 

and 20134—and these estimates of the green construction workforce do not include employment for suppliers 

of green building materials and products, an industry 

that should also experience increased growth as demand 

for their goods rises. Although, in the United States, 

the green construction workforce is still much smaller 

Drew Liming is an economist in the Office of Occupational Statistics 

and Employment Projections, BLS. Drew is available at (202) 691-

5262 or liming.drew@bls.gov.

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR ST

BLATSISTICS

June 2011
Green Jobs: Green Construction

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2

than the general construction workforce—estimated 

at 7.2 million workers in 20085—its growth has been 

considerable. 

Although green building techniques are used in both 

residential and industrial construction, commercial construction is the largest player in the industry’s growth. 

Accordingly, this report focuses on the construction of 

green commercial and office buildings. 

The report provides information on various career 

opportunities in green construction. The first section provides an overview of the green construction industry and 

common issues that designers and construction managers 

of green buildings must consider. The remainder of the 

report details occupations involved in the construction 

of green commercial and office buildings. The occupational information includes a description of job duties; 

the credentials needed to work in the occupation, such as 

education, training, certification, or licensure; and wages. 

Going green

Green construction has grown more commonplace because it is more than just an environmental movement: 

many companies prefer green buildings for financial 

reasons. According to a 2009 McGraw-Hill Construction 

survey of high-level executives in firms that own green 

buildings, 72 percent say that their firm participates in 

sustainability efforts to lower operating costs.6 In the 

same survey, the executives named lowered costs and 

energy savings as the primary drivers of sustainability. 

These financial benefits provide incentives to keep constructing green buildings. 

Certifications and credentials for green construction

A large and well-known advocate for green construction is the U.S. Green Building Council 

(USGBC), a nonprofit organization. The USGBC created and maintains standards to rate buildings by their level of sustainability. These standards fall under the building rating system known 

as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Using these standards, the sister 

organization of USGBC, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), judges buildings 

with a LEED scorecard. Depending on how the building scores, it may receive LEED certified, 

Silver, Gold, or Platinum status. Buildings earn points in many different categories, including 

design and energy efficiency.

 LEED certification is widely recognized, and some local jurisdictions have incorporated it 

into their building codes. The U.S. General Services Administration, for example, requires all 

Federal new construction and major renovation projects to meet LEED Gold standards. Many 

private developers pursue LEED certification to advertise their green credentials to the public. 

Although LEED is the most common green certification in the United States, there are 

alternatives. Other groups, such as the Green Building Initiative, offer competing certifications 

in the green construction market. Certification systems have different strengths and weaknesses. 

Rating systems and categories vary among certifications; some are also more expensive and 

complicated to earn than others. Firms pursing green building certifications should research 

which program best suits their needs.

GBCI not only provides certification to buildings, but also accredits professionals in the 

green building field. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) may work on a project that 

is pursuing LEED certification. These individuals might already be working as the project’s 

designer or architect. 

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) has developed a 

certification for construction supervisors that has the endorsement of the GBCI. The Sustainable 

Construction Manager certification can qualify frontline construction managers as equipped to 

support the LEED green building goals of the project.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 3

Green Jobs: Green Construction

Constructing a green building is not an easy process: 

there is no one way to accomplish this goal. Because of 

the diverse nature of green construction, designers and 

builders must have a comprehensive view of how the different parts of a building work together. Green building 

techniques can be grouped into five major categories, including the structure’s location, energy efficiency, water 

conservation, indoor air quality, and onsite construction 

practices. 

Location

A building’s location—or, more specifically, where it 

is in relation to where people who come to the location 

live—goes a long way toward determining how green the 

building is. Car emissions from people traveling to and 

from a building impose a significant environmental cost, 

and choosing an effective location can reduce this impact. For example, constructing an office in a suburban 

location may require employees to drive to work. If the 

office were built in an urban area instead, many employees could have a shorter commute or more options to use 

mass transit. 

This calculation is true for other types of buildings, 

too. For example, locating a grocery store within walking distance of its targeted customers would cut down on 

the environmental impact of their travel. Urban planners 

with an awareness of green issues must decide the most 

environmentally efficient sites for new buildings. Locating construction near existing infrastructure reduces the 

need to build new roads.

The location of a new building can matter in other 

ways, too. The greenest construction sites make use of 

preexisting structures and onsite materials. Instead of 

tearing down a previously vacant building and erecting 

a new one, the original might be efficiently renovated to 

serve a fresh purpose. 

The reuse of some sites, called brownfields, might 

be especially good for the environment. Brownfields are 

abandoned facilities that can be difficult to redevelop because of environmental complications. An example of a 

brownfield site would be an old industrial plant that still 

contains harmful chemicals. The site’s developers could 

have the chemicals safely disposed of and the property 

redeveloped into an apartment complex, thereby removing a threat to the environment. 

Redevelopers of brownfield sites need not act solely 

for altruistic reasons. They might see a financial boon 

in locating a building at the brownfield’s location or be 

encouraged by tax credits offered in some local communities for the redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Energy efficiency

A building’s level of energy consumption is frequently 

a good indicator of how green the building is. Buildings 

use vast amounts of energy, for everything from keeping 

the lights on during late work hours to keeping the heat 

on during cold winter months. The U.S. Department of 

Energy reported that in 2006 commercial buildings were 

responsible for about 18 percent of all energy consumed 

in the United States.7 Because buildings consume so 

much energy, it is important for them to be energy efficient. 

Architects and engineers who design green buildings 

use different techniques to maximize energy efficiency. 

One popular practice is daylighting, which is the use of 

natural light to illuminate a building. Sunlight is readily 

available during daytime hours, when many buildings 

are at their highest occupancy. Architects can use their 

knowledge of structural design and the building’s orientation to maximize the amount of natural light within the 

building. During times with sufficient daylight, traditional indoor lighting can be reduced to conserve energy.

Placing windows in areas that receive sunlight and 

using low-reflective glass are key components of daylighting. Windows are also useful tools for insulating a 

building, because some types of glass offer better insulation than others. Double-glazed windows, which have 

two separate panes of glass separated by millimeters, are 

best for preventing heat loss. 

Designers of green buildings also can use the sun as 

a source of heat. Depending on the building’s orientation, the sun can be an effective supplement to internal 

heating systems. In warmer climates or seasons, however, the goal may be to lower the building’s temperature. 

In these cases, planners use shade, from either trees or 

surrounding buildings, to keep the building cool. 

To be truly energy efficient, green buildings need 

to be equipped with green appliances. Some models of 

every type of appliance—from clothes washers to water 

heaters—are more energy efficient than others. Appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR qualification meet energy-efficiency standards set by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency and the Department 

of Energy.8 Procurement and facility managers use the 

ENERGY STAR qualification to help decide which appliances to purchase and install in green buildings. 
Green Jobs: Green Construction

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 4

Some green buildings not only conserve energy, but 

also produce it. By installing alternative energy infrastructure onsite, some property owners can take their 

commitment to energy efficiency a step further. For 

example, a green building might have photovoltaic solar 

panels installed on its roof. Another could have a small 

wind turbine located on its property. These local power 

sources can also be combined to help make a building 

self-sustaining or a net producer of energy. 

Even if they do not produce their own energy onsite, 

many green buildings can get their energy from renewable sources. Utility-scale solar energy and wind energy 

are becoming more commonplace and more cost competitive with traditional power options, such as coal and 

natural gas. Depending on where the building is located 

and the energy portfolio of its local utility company, 

facilities managers may have the option to obtain some 

of their building’s power from renewable sources.

Water conservation

Although water covers more than 70 percent of the 

Earth’s surface, only a small percentage of it is usable by 

humans; the rest is saltwater or frozen in polar ice caps. 

Given how critical water is to human survival, it is an 

important resource to conserve. Green buildings contribute to conservation efforts by finding additional sources 

of water and by being designed to lessen water usage 

both indoors and outdoors.

Not all types of water are equally valuable. Potable, 

or drinkable, water is of relatively high quality, and 

nonpotable water, of lesser quality, can be used where 

drinking water is not required, such as in toilets. Using 

common types of nonpotable water for purposes other 

than drinking helps conserve drinking water. 

Greywater is water from showers, bathroom sinks, 

washing machines, and drinking fountains. Although 

not safe for human drinking, greywater contains few 

contaminants and can be used to water landscapes or 

flush toilets. Rainwater, also unsafe to drink, because of 

pollutants in the atmosphere, can be collected in basins 

or runoff channels. In green buildings using nonpotable 

water, plumbers are required to install separate pipes and 

storage tanks to separate the nonpotable from the potable 

water.

To lessen water consumption, green buildings are 

often filled with water-efficient appliances. Low-flow 

aerators limit the amount of water coming out of a faucet 

by blocking parts of the mouth of the faucet. The water that flows out of the faucet is separated into several 

different streams instead of a single solid one. Some 

models add highly pressurized air to the stream of water, 

allowing the faucet to emit even less water while keeping 

the water pressure high. 

Water also is conserved in newer toilet models. 

These new dual-flush toilets have two different flush settings: one for solid waste, the other for liquid. Older toilets use about 5 gallons of water for each flush, but new 

ones may use only 1.6 gallons per flush for solid waste 

and less than 1 gallon for liquid waste. Waterless urinals, 

which use a cartridge system, also lower water usage. 

When constructing green buildings, planners also 

have to consider how water will be used outside of the 

building. Maintaining a landscape can be extremely 

water intensive. At an office complex in Arizona, for example, the site designers could apply a technique known 

as xeriscaping—using local plants that thrive in the region for landscaping. Instead of planting deciduous trees, 

which require significant amounts of water to survive in 

a dry climate, these landscape architects would use rock 

gardens and desert plants.

Xeriscaping also includes practices for sprinkler 

systems in an effort to make landscapes as water efficient 

as possible. Green developers map each sprinkler head’s 

area of coverage in order to limit overlap. Automatic 

sprinklers are preset to discharge water in the evenings to 

reduce the loss of water to evaporation. 

Indoor air quality

Green buildings must benefit both the environment and 

the buildings’ occupants. Most green buildings are both 

well insulated and filled with synthetic products, which 

can emit harmful chemicals. Long-term exposure to 

these chemicals may cause occupants to suffer from sick 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 5

Green Jobs: Green Construction

building syndrome, symptoms of which include headaches and excessive fatigue. When constructing green 

buildings, planners must be aware of the potential harmful effects of the products used. 

Many building materials, including paint and insulation, can pose hazards to a building’s occupants. Many 

paints are defined as volatile organic compounds. A 

cause of sick building syndrome, these compounds also 

are found in many disinfectants, air fresheners, and other 

products. To lessen building occupants’ exposure to such 

compounds, facility managers use paints and finishes 

with no volatile organic compounds or low levels of 

these compounds. 

A building’s insulation may have detrimental effects 

on its occupants. In some older buildings, asbestos was 

used as an insulator. Fiberglass, mineral wool, and cellulose are now frequently used as alternatives. The health 

hazards of asbestos are well documented, but even fiberglass might carry some risks. Small amounts of fiberglass that have entered the airstream can be a respiratory 

irritant. Other types of insulation also have drawbacks, 

so facility managers must use their knowledge to decide 

which type is most suitable for a building’s occupants. 

Good heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning 

(HVAC) systems are important contributors to improving indoor air quality. HVAC units can be used to filter 

harmful particles, such as fungal spores and pollen, 

from a building’s air supply. Ensuring that HVAC units 

are properly installed and regularly maintained is very 

important because broken or leaking HVAC units can 

themselves become sources of mold. 

Onsite practices

A truly green building is a building made with green 

materials. Although it is an open question whether 

natural or synthetic materials are better for the environment, materials used in green construction frequently are 

purchased from companies that have environmentally 

friendly practices. For example, wood used in a green 

building’s floors might be from a company that values 

the biodiversity and future health of forests. Green building certification programs usually award points for such 

purchases.

In many green buildings, recycled and renewable 

resources are commonly used. For example, both medium-density fiberboard and bamboo are green alternatives to traditional wood. Medium-density fiberboard is 

frequently considered a recycled product; many kinds 

are composed of recycled industrial wood trimmings. 

Bamboo, by contrast, is considered a rapidly renewable 

resource because of its quick growth.

Whether recycled or renewable products, the most 

environmentally efficient supplies are those obtained 

from local sources. The environmental costs of transporting building materials can be substantial. Heavy trucks 

burning fossil fuels and emitting carbon can make the 

transportation of even the greenest materials harmful to 

the environment. 

Construction firms may undertake onsite practices 

to minimize a building project’s environmental impact. Construction firms dedicated to green practices 

implement strict recycling plans, in which materials 

that would normally be disposed of are identified and 

reused for new purposes. Many jurisdictions require 
Green Jobs: Green Construction

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 6

construction companies to conduct waste stream audits 

to reduce wasted materials. Green construction firms 

routinely make use of preconsumer recycled content, 

which comes from the materials left over at the end of a 

construction job. Many common construction materials 

can be reused in other projects. Recycled concrete, for 

example, is frequently used as gravel or the base layer 

for new roads. 

Occupations in green 

construction

Many organizations, both national and local, offer training for green construction trades. The National Center 

for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), a 

not-for-profit foundation created to develop standardized 

construction training programs, has developed a number 

of green training modules recognized by the U.S. Green 

Building Council and Green Building Certification 

Institute. The Laborers’ International Union of North 

America and the Associated Builders and Contractors 

(ABC) also have been heavily involved in developing 

training programs. Workers already proficient in their 

trade but looking to add green skills should check with 

a local NCCER sponsor or local employment, trade, or 

union centers for training opportunities.

Training in green practices is more important for 

some occupations than for others. For example, although 

the work of construction laborers might be different 

on a green construction site, these workers usually do 

not require much specialized training. Specialty trade 

workers—who need to be proficient in installing energyand water-efficient appliances and who might use new 

techniques—usually require more. The design occupations, such as architects and engineers, require a considerable amount of education and training specific to green 

construction.

For each occupation discussed, job duties are listed, 

along with the necessary credentials, including education, training, certification, or licensure. Certification 

demonstrates competency in a skill or set of skills and 

is typically earned by passing an examination, gaining 

work experience, receiving training, or some combination of the three. Licensing is done by states and typically requires passing an examination and complying 

with eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level 

of education, work experience, or training, or completing an internship, residency, or apprenticeship. No states 

mandate or license workers to work on green buildings 

specifically.

Finally, wage data are presented. Although lacking wage data specifically for occupations in the green 

construction industry, BLS is currently in the process 

of collecting data to measure green jobs. These data are 

expected to be available in 2012. The wages presented 

for each occupation are from the nonresidential building 

construction industry group.

Design occupations

Green buildings make use of new ideas and technologies, 

so the workers who design them are required always 

to be open to innovation. Designers of green buildings 

work together to make their projects as environmentally 

friendly as possible. These workers are required to evaluate both standard construction issues, such as the number 

of load-bearing columns required in a structure, and new 

ones, such as a building’s orientation to the sun. To make 

buildings that appeal to the masses, designers have to 

strike the correct balance between being attractive and 

being environmentally friendly. 

Job duties

Architects design buildings and other structures. They 

are responsible for the overall look of buildings, but an 

architect’s work goes far beyond appearance: Buildings 

also must be functional, safe, and economical, and must 

suit the needs of the people who use them. 

Architects use computer-aided design and drafting 

(CADD) software and building information modeling 

technologies to design and manage projects. They often 

work closely with engineers, urban planners, interior 

designers, landscape architects, and other professionals. 

Architects spend a great deal of their time coordinating 

information from, and the work of, others engaged in the 

same project.

The work of architects is critical to determining how 

green a building is. For example, architects designing a 

green building might devise ways to maximize the building’s energy efficiency. To accomplish this, they might 

apply daylighting principles and design a building with 

large banks of windows that face the sun. Or because 

buildings consume significantly more energy as they 

grow in size, the architects might design a building with 

little extra space. 

Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 7

Green Jobs: Green Construction

and water supply and sewage systems. Their work requires them to consider many factors, from the construction costs and expected lifetime of a project to government regulations and environmental hazards. The major 

specialties of civil engineering are structural, water 

resources, construction, transportation, and geotechnical 

engineering.

The knowledge civil engineers possess allows them 

to be involved in just about every part of green building 

design. They might work on issues as diverse as erosion control and traffic flow patterns. By adopting green 

practices in every piece of a building, civil engineers can 

ensure that the final product is environmentally friendly. 

Electrical engineers develop, test, and supervise the 

manufacture of electrical equipment. They focus on the 

generation and supply of power and specialize in areas 

such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing.

Electrical engineers frequently design the lighting 

systems of buildings. The importance of energy efficiency in green buildings places a premium on well-trained 

electrical engineers. For example, electrical engineers 

might work closely with architects to plan areas of a 

building where daylighting is the primary source of 

light. They may use sensors that automatically trigger 

traditional lighting only when the daylight is insufficient, 

thereby helping to reduce energy usage. 

Landscape architects plan the location of roads and 

walkways and the arrangement of flowers, shrubs, and 

trees. They analyze the natural elements of a site, such as 

the climate, soil, drainage, vegetation, and slope of the 

land. Landscape architects also assess existing buildings, 

roads, walkways, and utilities to determine what improvements are necessary. At all stages, they evaluate the 

project’s impact on the local ecosystem.

Landscape architects who work on green building 

sites apply their expertise to plan attractive scenery while 

also conserving water. To do this, they practice xeriscaping, or using local plants that require less water. Landscape architects working on green buildings also might 

plan drainage channels to diffuse rainwater throughout 

planting beds.

Mechanical engineers work on power-producing 

machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines. They also 

might work on machines that consume power, such 

as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material-handling systems, elevators and 
Green Jobs: Green Construction

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 8

escalators, and industrial production equipment. Some 

mechanical engineers design tools that other engineers 

need for their work.

Mechanical engineers can specialize in many different types of equipment. When designing green buildings, 

they are consulted on any proposed equipment. Mechanical engineers specializing in air-conditioning systems, 

for example, would be able to provide valuable input on 

the strengths and weaknesses of different setups. They 

also might install systems to record and measure energy 

savings.

Urban planners develop long- and short-term plans 

for the use of land and the growth and revitalization of 

urban, suburban, and rural communities. They help local 

officials alleviate social, economic, and environmental 

problems by recommending locations for roads, schools, 

and other infrastructure. Urban planners also suggest 

zoning regulations for private property and work with 

developers to meet those regulations.

Some planners might help make decisions about protecting ecologically sensitive regions. They are involved 

in environmental issues, including pollution control, 

wetland preservation, forest conservation, and the location of new landfills.

Urban planners specializing in green development 

work with local authorities to develop zoning areas in 

which new buildings are required to meet standards of 

environmental efficiency. They also help guide infrastructure additions, such as new roads, to benefit the 

maximum number of people possible. When determining 

the ideal location for a green building, urban planners 

work closely with the rest of the building design staff.

Credentials

Architects, engineers, and urban planners who work in 

green building design usually have at least a bachelor’s 

degree in a relevant discipline. However, many jobs 

require more education, such as a master’s degree or 

professional degree, and many architects, engineers, and 

urban planners who work in green construction have 

the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) credential. (For 

more information on the LEED AP program, see the box 

on page 2.) 

Architects need to complete the requirements for 

either a bachelor of architecture—frequently a 5-year 

program—or master of architecture degree. A master’s 

degree in architecture usually takes 2 or 3 years and 

requires the previous completion of a bachelor’s degree 

(bachelor of arts or bachelor of science). Licensure is 

a requirement for all architects working in the United 

States. Becoming licensed usually requires earning a 

professional degree from an accredited school, completing a 3-year internship, and passing a national exam. 

Engineers typically are licensed and are expected 

to complete continuing education to keep current with 

rapidly changing technology. Most companies prefer 

to hire engineers with 3–5 years of experience in their 

respective fields and who have knowledge of commonly 

used building techniques. Entry-level engineers may be 

hired as interns or junior team members and work under 

the close supervision of more senior engineers. As they 

gain experience and knowledge, they are assigned more 

difficult tasks and given greater independence. 

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

green construction industry. However, BLS does have 

wage data for the nonresidential building construction 

industry group, which includes construction of commercial and office buildings. The table shows BLS data 

for design occupations in this industry group for May 

2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the 

United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and 

location.

Building construction occupations

Erecting any building is a complex task, and green buildings are no different. Experienced construction workers 

without a lot of green knowledge might have to learn 

how to perform tasks in new or different ways. Also, 

Selected occupations in the 

nonresidential building construction 

industry group

Median annual 

wages, 20101

Architects, except landscape and 

naval $77,210

Civil engineers 76,120

Electrical engineers 84,350

Landscape architects2 62,090

Mechanical engineers 80,400

Urban and regional planners2 63,040

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.

2

 Wage data for these occupations are not available in the 

nonresidential building construction industry group, so the 

dollar amounts shown are wages across all industries.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 9

Green Jobs: Green Construction

Construction equipment operators use machinery 

to move construction materials, earth, and other heavy 

objects at construction sites. They use machines to clear 

and grade land prior to construction. Construction equipment operators also dig trenches to lay sewer and other 

utilities, and they hoist heavy construction materials. 

Operating heavy construction equipment on a green 

jobsite requires special care. These workers have to take 

precautions in order not to damage sensitive areas of 

the site. For example, construction equipment operators might have to work on sites that host a threatened 

animal’s habitat or an eroding watershed. 

Credentials

Most construction managers gain experience working 

on projects in other positions before they are selected to 

manage a project. Education is becoming important, and 

most project managers hold a bachelor’s degree or higher 

in construction management, business management, 

or engineering. Advanced degrees, such as a master’s 

degree in business administration (MBA), are becoming 

more common. Construction managers on green projects 

might have the LEED Green Associate credential or have 

taken the NCCER’s Sustainable Construction Supervisor 

Training and Certification Program.

Although many construction laborer jobs have 

no specific education or training requirements, some 

construction laborers may receive formal technical and 

on-the-job training. High school classes in English, 

mathematics, physics, construction drawings, welding, 

and other career and technical education classes can be 

helpful preparation. Many construction laborers learn 

their skills on the job by assisting more experienced 

workers.

when constructing green buildings, workers might find 

themselves using unusual design schematics or materials 

they are unfamiliar with. However, the biggest change 

for these workers is the adoption of onsite procedures 

designed to lessen the ecological impact of the construction. When building green, construction workers have to 

be conscious of how their work affects the surrounding 

environment.

Job duties

Construction managers plan, direct, coordinate, and 

budget a wide variety of construction projects, including 

roads, schools, hospitals, and other residential, commercial, and industrial structures. They may supervise 

an entire project or, on larger projects, just part of one. 

As coordinators of all design and construction processes, 

construction managers select, hire, and oversee specialty 

trade contractors, such as carpenters, plumbers, or electricians.

Construction managers coordinate and supervise the 

construction process from the conceptual development 

stage through final construction to ensure that the project 

is completed on time and within budget. They often meet 

with owners, engineers, architects, and any others working on the same project.

When working on green buildings, construction 

managers are responsible for ensuring that onsite processes are environmentally friendly. This could mean 

setting up a recycling plan for unused construction 

materials or protecting environmentally sensitive areas 

of the site. Because construction managers also select 

the general contractors and trade contractors, they are responsible for choosing contractors who have knowledge 

of green building techniques.

Construction laborers perform a wide range of tasks 

on construction sites. They use a variety of equipment, 

including pavement breakers, jackhammers, and small 

mechanical hoists. For some jobs, construction laborers use computers and other high-tech input devices to 

control robotic pipe cutters and cleaners. They often assist workers in the specialty trades, including carpenters, 

plasterers, and masons.

The duties of construction laborers on a green building site are similar to their duties on other projects. However, they fulfill these duties in a more environmentally 

conscious fashion. For example, construction laborers 

must follow green onsite procedures, such as material 

recycling plans, decided upon by their managers. 
Green Jobs: Green Construction

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 10

Construction equipment operators learn their skills 

through a variety of venues, including on-the-job training, equipment career schools, NCCER or ABC sponsors, apprenticeships, or, union instruction. Depending 

on the type of equipment, the operator may be required 

to be certified by an accredited party or by the manufacturer.

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

green construction industry. However, BLS does have 

wage data for the nonresidential building construction 

industry group, which includes construction of commercial and office buildings. the table shows BLS data 

for selected occupations in this industry group for May 

2010. The wages shown are median annual wages for the 

United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and 

location.

Specialty trade occupations

After the designers and construction crews have played 

their roles in making a green building, skilled craft 

workers are needed to finish the job. These workers use 

their unique skill sets and utilize renewable or recycled 

materials to lessen a building’s environmental impact. 

Although tradespeople work closely with construction 

workers on the site, they are more highly trained and 

have more specific tasks. Their duties vary with their 

specialty and the project. 

Job duties

Carpenters construct, install, and repair structures and 

fixtures made from wood and other materials, including plastic, fiberglass, and drywall. In accordance with 

their construction drawings, carpenters first do the 

layout—measuring, marking, and arranging materials. 

They use hand and power tools, such as chisels, planes, 

saws, drills, and sanders, to cut and shape the materials. 

Carpenters then join the materials together with nails, 

screws, or other fasteners. In the final step, they check 

the accuracy of their work with instruments such as levels or rulers before making any necessary adjustments. 

Carpenters trained in green techniques play an 

important role in reducing waste and improving building 

efficiency. One technique, called optimum value engineering, allows carpenters to use less lumber by increasing the amount of spacing between framing members. 

This technique also allows for more insulation to be 

added, increasing the energy efficiency of the building. 

Electricians do both installation and maintenance 

work on the energy systems of buildings. When working in construction, electricians check their construction 

drawings to determine where to place equipment, such 

as circuits and outlets. After finding the proper locations, they install and connect wires to circuit breakers, 

transformers, outlets, or other components and systems. 

When installing wiring, electricians use both hand 

tools—such as screwdrivers and wire strippers—and 

power tools—such as drills and saws. Electricians also 

are responsible for testing the new components.

Electricians can help improve a building’s energy 

efficiency by installing motion sensors to automatically 

turn off lights when no people are present. They can 

also recommend green products, such as smart power 

strips that stop plugged-in electronics from consuming 

unnecessary energy. Some electricians might be able to 

connect local solar photovoltaic panels to a building’s 

energy system.

HVAC installers install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. HVAC 

systems vary among buildings, but all are composed of 

many mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, 

such as motors, fans, and pumps. Following construction 

drawings, technicians install heating and air-conditioning 

systems by putting in fuel and water supply lines, air 

ducts and vents, pumps, and other components. They 

may connect electrical wiring to controls and check the 

unit to confirm that it works properly.

A good HVAC system is one of the most important 

contributors to a building’s healthy indoor air environment. Built-up water in HVAC systems can be a fertile 

breeding ground for airborne contaminants, such as 

mold, that may spread through the building. Skilled 

HVAC installers can prevent this from happening by 

properly installing and maintaining the ventilation system. 

Plumbers working in the construction industry follow detailed construction drawings to install piping in 

Selected occupations in the 

nonresidential building construction 

industry group 

Median annual 

wages, 20101

Construction managers $85,030

Construction laborers 31,000

Operating engineers and other 

construction equipment operators 46,160

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 11

Green Jobs: Green Construction

new buildings. To conserve resources, plumbers lay out 

their materials and fit the piping into the building’s structure. They measure and mark areas in which pipes will 

be installed and connected, while checking for obstructions, such as electrical wiring. 

To assemble a system, plumbers use saws, pipe cutters, and pipe-bending machines to cut and shape lengths 

of pipe and then link them together. When the system is 

ready, plumbers install the appliances that use water and 

connect the system to the outside water supply.

Plumbers’ knowledge of building codes and different system options has allowed them to become more 

involved in the design process. When working on green 

buildings, plumbers can recommend and install waterefficient appliances, such as dual-flush toilets, or systems 

that reuse gray water.

Insulation installers apply insulating materials to 

pipes and ducts, under floors, and in ceilings and walls. 

When covering a steampipe, for example, these workers measure and cut sections of insulation to the proper 

length before securing it over the pipe. 

When insulating floors, ceilings, or walls, insulation workers use machines that blow loose-fill insulation, such as fiberglass. When covering a wall or other 

flat surface, these workers may use a hose to spray foam 

insulation onto a wire mesh that provides a rough surface 

to which the foam can cling and that adds strength to the 

finished surface. 

Properly insulated buildings lower energy consumption by keeping heat in during the winter and out in 

the summer. However, if a building is poorly insulated, 

wasted energy is not the only problem: diminished 

indoor air quality, resulting from insulating products 

that emit airborne irritants, is also a concern. Insulation 

workers are important for both lowering a building’s 

energy costs and creating a healthy indoor environment. 

Painters apply paint, stain, varnish, and other finishes to buildings. When selecting the right paint or finish, 

they take into account its durability, ease of handling, 

and method of application. To ensure that the paint will 

adhere properly, painters might remove old coats of paint 

by sanding or with water and abrasive blasting, fill nail 

holes and cracks, and wash walls to remove dirt, grease, 

and dust. On new surfaces, painters apply a primer or 

sealer to prepare the surface for the topcoat. To apply 

the paint and finishes, painters use tools such as brushes, 

rollers, or paint sprayers. When working on a tall building, painters must handle all of this equipment while 

suspended on scaffolds.

Many paints contain volatile organic compounds, 

which can lower the indoor air quality and cause sick 

building syndrome. Before applying paints and other 

finishes, painters should be aware of the products they 

will use. When possible, they choose to apply those with 

no volatile organic compounds or low levels of such 

compounds. 

Glaziers cut and install glass to create the windows 

and skylights of new buildings. Glaziers usually install 

glass that has been precut by suppliers to design specifications. If it isn’t delivered precut, glaziers must cut the 

glass themselves with specialized tools. Glaziers place 

the glass panels into the proper positions with suction 

cups. Once the glass is in place, glaziers secure it with 

putty, metal clips, or other techniques. 

To help increase the energy efficiency of green buildings, glaziers frequently install double-paned windows. 

These windows lose less heat to the outdoor environment 

than single-paned alternatives. Skilled glaziers also are 

necessary to ensure that the window’s glass is sealed 

properly into its frame. Any open seams would allow 

heat to escape and hurt the building’s energy efficiency 

rating. 

Roofers repair and install roofs—usually made from 

a combination of tar, asphalt, gravel, rubber, thermoplastic, and metal—to protect buildings from water damage. 

Most commercial buildings use low-slope roofs covered with several layers of materials. Roofers begin by 

installing a layer of insulation on the roof deck, before 

applying a tarlike substance on top of it. The process is 

repeated until the roof’s seams are sealed and the surface 
Green Jobs: Green Construction

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 12

is waterproof. The top layer is then glazed to make a 

smooth finish or has gravel embedded in it to create a 

rough surface.

An increasing number of low-slope roofs are covered with single-ply membranes of waterproof rubber or 

of thermoplastic compounds. Roofers roll these sheets 

over the roof’s insulation and seal the seams. Adhesive, 

mechanical fasteners, or stone ballast hold the sheets in 

place. Roofers must make sure that the building is strong 

enough to hold the stone ballast. 

Temperatures in urban areas are often higher than 

those in nearby rural areas; hence, it may cost more to 

cool an urban building. This issue, called the heat island 

effect, can be mitigated through the work of skilled roofers. Cool roofs, which are made of reflective materials 

that deflect the sun’s heat away from the building, can 

lower internal temperatures. Some roofers install “green” 

roofs, which cover the top of a building with vegetation, 

to achieve the same effect. 

Roofers, especially those who are also trained as 

electricians, also might install solar photovoltaic panels. More information on these workers can be found 

in a BLS report on careers in solar energy and in an 

Occupational Outlook Quarterly article about solar 

photovoltaic installers.

Credentials

Most of the workers in these specialty trade occupations learn their skills through formal training programs, 

apprenticeships, and trade schools. Craft training and 

apprenticeship programs usually consist of technical 

instruction and an additional 3 or 4 years of on-the-job 

training. Trainees and apprentices also must pass practical and written tests to demonstrate their knowledge of 

the trade. Many craft training or apprenticeship programs 

can be found through an NCCER or ABC training program sponsor or a local union chapter.

Continual learning is important for trade workers, 

because they need to acquire new, green skills. A carpenter, for example, should know current advanced framing 

techniques. Other trade occupations need to become 

familiar with green products and be able to install them. 

Depending on the state in which they practice, some 

of these workers need to be licensed. Most states and 

communities require electricians, plumbers, and HVAC 

installers to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary, 

but workers typically must have several years of experience and pass an esxamination that tests their general 

knowledge and familiarity with local building codes. 

Wages

BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the 

green construction industry. However, BLS does have 

wage data for the nonresidential building construction 

industry group, which includes construction of commercial and office buildings. The table shows BLS data for 

the specialty trade occupations in this industry group for 

May 2010. The wages shown are median annual wages 

for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Selected occupations in the 

nonresidential building construction 

industry group

Median annual 

wages, 20101

Carpenters $43,980

Electricians 47,620

Heating, air conditioning, and 

refrigeration mechanics and 

installers

 

 41,560

Plumbers, pipefitters, and 

steamfitters

 51,490

Insulation workers, mechanical 37,100

Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and 

wall 35,910

Painters, construction, and 

maintenance 35,050

Glaziers2 36,640

Roofers 31,360

1 Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at 

www.bls.gov/oes. The data do not include benefits.

2

 Wage data for this occupation is not available in the 

nonresidential building construction industry group, so the 

dollar amount shown is the wage across all industries.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 13

Green Jobs: Green Construction

Conclusion

This article has examined the various occupations in 

green construction. If the growth of green construction 

continues, more buildings will be built to green standards. The benefits of this growth should be noticeable in 

the construction sector, which was hit particularly hard 

by the recent economic recession. 

Green construction is able to provide jobs to people 

with a broad range of education and experience levels. 

Many of the occupations in green building design, such 

as architects and civil engineers, require at least a bachelor’s degree, while many of the construction and trade 

occupations can be learned through on-the-job training 

or an apprenticeship.

As green construction becomes more widespread, 

new opportunities to contribute to the field will arise. A 

new market focused on sustainable construction techniques should build job prospects for many more future 

workers. 

Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENT: The author would like to 

thank Daniele Stacey (NCCER), Jen Huber (ABC), and 

Donna Laquidara-Carr (McGraw-Hill Construction) for 

reviewing a draft of this report.

1 Green Outlook 2011: Green Trends Driving Growth

(New York, McGraw-Hill Construction, 2010), on the 

Internet at http://construction.com/market_research/. 

(See p. 2.) 

2 Ibid.

3 Ibid.

4 U.S. Green Building Council, Green Jobs Study

(McLean, VA, Booz Allen Hamilton, 2009), on 

the Internet at http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.

aspx?DocumentID=6435. (See p. 6; visited May 24, 

2011.) The estimate provided is the number of workers 

directly employed, displayed in Exhibit 2-5.

5 “Construction,” in Career Guide to Industries, 2010–11 

Edition (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dec. 3, 2010), on 

the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm 

(visited March 18, 2011). BLS is currently collecting 

data on green jobs, and the data will be published in 

2012.

6 2009 Greening of Corporate America (New York, 

McGraw-Hill Construction, 2009), on the Internet at 

http://www.mcgraw-hill-sales.com/2009_Greening

CorpAmerica.pdf. (See p. 18.)

7 Buildings Energy Data Book (U.S. Department of 

Energy, 2009), on the Internet at 

http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/TableView.

aspx?table=1.1.3 (visited Feb. 22, 2011).

8 For more information about ENERGY STAR, see 

http://www.energystar.gov.