by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 86 U.S. colleges awarded 2,765 degrees and certificates in General Construction Trades. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best General Construction Trades Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $39,670 one year after completing, rising to $49,561 after four years.
A major in General Construction Trades covers Construction Trades, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills In The Building, Inspecting, And Maintaining Of Structures And Related Properties. May Include Instruction In Masonry, Carpentry, Electrical And Power Transmission Installation, Building/construction Finishing, Management, Inspection And Other Construction-Related Applications. Examples: [Construction Craft Worker].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general construction trades is a popular field of study, with 2,765 degrees awarded annually. 86 colleges award general construction trades degrees, an average of 32 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 402.
By level, the 2,765 awards include 577 certificates, 557 associate degrees and 1,433 master’s degrees.
Women earned 10% of general construction trades degrees and certificates in the latest year (276 of 2,765). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,096) and Hispanic or Latino (665), and international students earned 6.
College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best General Construction Trades Schools ranking, including 14 for associate degrees. It also ranks general construction trades schools within 3 states. In all, 86 colleges offer general construction trades programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Construction Trades Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general construction trades credential is the master’s degree: 1,433 of the 2,765 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general construction trades call most for Coordination, Speaking and Management of Personnel Resources, and for knowledge of Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Problem Sensitivity.
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How long a general construction trades degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 577 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 557 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,433 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general construction trades, at 34.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 20.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.8% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to General Construction Trades, with an average median salary of $70,770; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Installation Managers, at 9.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Building Superintendent, Swimming Pool Maintenance Supervisor, Carpenters’ Supervisor and Terrazzo Supervisor.
The occupation related to general construction trades with the most projected jobs is First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, at 646,091.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
General Construction Trades graduates earn a median $39,670 one year after completing their program, $49,561 after four years and $44,253 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,670 |
| 4 years | $49,561 |
| 5 years | $44,253 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general construction trades, with a median salary of $83,555.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
