Working life

Your career in the construction sector

29 Jan 2024, 14:58

There are now more than 167,000 people working in construction in Ireland. What’s more, that number will rise over the coming years. Ireland’s construction output last year was estimated at €32bn. Between rising interest rates and rising costs, there has been some uncertainty in the Irish construction industry. However, in spite of the turbulence the world has faced in recent times, the Irish construction industry is expected to grow in the coming years.

construction site

What could I earn in construction?

All salaries are approximate and are based on median salaries for each role. Pay in the construction sector varies dependent on experience.

  • Quantity Surveyor: €70,000
  • Construction Manager: €115,000
  • Junior Civil Engineer: €35,000
  • Structural Engineer: €70,000
  • Building Services Engineer: €65,000
  • Building Information Modeller: €45,000
  • Architect: €65,000
  • Health & Safety Officer: €50,000
  • Facilities Manager: €75,000
  • Site Lead: €165,000

Top careers in construction and construction management

Quantity Surveyors

Quantity Surveyors with varying levels of experience are in demand. Quantity surveyors manage the contractual and financial aspects of construction projects. They make sure that construction projects are completed within budget. They can also help give a valuation of construction work for contractors, budget and bill clients.

Civil Engineers

Civil engineers determine the right design for structures. Civil engineers are in demand to design and construct essential infrastructure projects, such as bridges, motorways and water and wastewater projects.

Building Services Engineers

Building services engineers are responsible for the design, installation, operation and monitoring of the technical services in buildings. The lack of graduates in this area has impacted the industry significantly. Building Services Engineers fill a number of roles among Mechanical and Engineering (M&E) Contractors and Design firms.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) Technicians

BIM technicians generate and manage digital representations of the physical and functional aspects of places. With many projects moving over to 3D modelling, BIM technicians are finding opportunities in various different organisations in the construction industry. Candidates can find opportunities in architectural, civil/structural, building services firms, main contractors, etc.

Architects

Architects plan, design and oversee the construction of buildings. The work of architects includes preparing feasibility reports, building audits and designing buildings, spaces and structures. Architects often help clients develop the requirements they want in a building. They are also typically responsible for coordinating the design team working on the project.

Health and Safety Officers

Health and Safety officers keep building sites safe by inspecting and assessing them. They ensure that employers properly train employees and that employees know and understand safety protocols. With the increased activity across the country, each contractor has seen an increase in the demand for safety officers.

Construction Manager

Construction management covers a number of roles including; site manager, contracts manager, construction estimator, building project manager and building surveyor.

gradireland editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the gradireland content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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