Construction and maintenance painters work in buildings or at construction sites to paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces by using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. They also may remove old paint and mix colors to find the right combination.

Typically, no formal education is required to become a construction and maintenance painter, as most employees learn what they need to know through on-the-job training. However, some employers prefer applicants who have participated in an apprenticeship program.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, employment in Dallas is expected to increase from 4,650 workers during 2006 to 5,750 workers by 2016, accounting for 1,100 additional jobs and an overall growth rate of 23.7 percent.

Throughout Texas, employment is anticipated to grow from 28,750 workers during 2006 to 35,500 workers by 2016, resulting in 6,750 additional jobs and an overall increase of 23.5 percent.

Employment across the United States should increase from 462,833 workers during 2006 to 517,319 workers by 2016, making for 54,500 additional jobs and an overall growth rate of 11.8 percent.

The top industries that employ construction and maintenance painters in Dallas are:

• Building finishing contractors – 32.59 percent
• Residential building construction – 3.13 percent
• Non-residential building construction – 2.67 percent
• Other specialty trade contractors – 2.3 percent

During 2009, construction and maintenance painters in Dallas earned an average wage of $14.16 per hour, while those in Texas earned an average wage of $14.65 per hour and those throughout the nation earned an average wage of $17.94 per hour.

Construction on a 675-mile pipeline dubbed the Ruby Pipeline has begun. The pipeline, which will be used to transport natural gas, will extend from Opal, Wyo., through Utah and Nevada to the Oregon and California border.

The Ruby Pipeline will ultimately benefit companies that produce natural gas in Colorado, as it will carry 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from Colorado and other nearby states to the Oregon and California border. The project is being headed by El Paso Corporation, a Houston-based company that has offices in Colorado Springs.

At the beginning of 2009, Gov. Bill Ritter sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in an effort to expedite approval of the pipeline. The project was approved in April and construction began at the end of July. The project is expected to be complete in March 2011.

“The start of construction on the Ruby Pipeline is exciting news for Colorado’s gas industry,” Gov. Bill Ritter said. “This new pipeline will boost our economy, create jobs and allow Colorado producers to obtain a fair price for our gas in the larger markets on the west coast.

“Increasing production of clean-burning natural gas also advances our goal of energy independence and our national status as a leader in the New Energy Economy,” he continued. “I want to thank the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for recognizing the importance of this $3 billion project and allowing it to move forward.”

The mining, logging and construction industry in St. Louis employed 57,800 workers during March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 54,500 workers during February, but a 10.9 percent decrease from last year.

That recent growth may convince some formerly-employed construction workers, or those new to the industry, to start looking for work. If you’re one of those people, you may want to consider applying for construction management positions, which are popular and pay well.

Construction managers are responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and budgeting various construction and maintenance projects. They help with the conceptual development of a project and oversee its organization, scheduling and implementation.

As the name implies, construction managers also must manage and direct their own employees. Construction managers may work in specialized fields, such as carpentry or plumbing, and may be known as general superintendents or project managers.

Most employers today prefer that construction managers have a bachelor’s degree in construction science, construction management, building science or civil engineering. However, several colleges offer two-year or associate degrees, while some even offer master’s programs in construction management or construction science.

While it’s not required, gaining a certification in construction management can help put you ahead of the competition. Both the American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America have established voluntary certification programs for construction managers.

During 2008, there were 551,000 construction managers throughout America, according to the BLS. Of those, 61 percent were self-employed, many as owners of general or specialty trade construction firms.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the top industries that employ construction managers in the state include:

• Non-residential building construction – 6 percent
• Residential building construction – 3 percent
• Highway, street and bridge construction – 2.4 percent
• Land subdivision – 2.3 percent
• Utility system construction – 2.3 percent
• Building equipment contractors – 2 percent
• Other heavy construction – 1.7 percent
• Other specialty trade contractors – 1.6 percent
• Lessors of real estate – 1.3 percent
• Building foundation and exterior contractors – 1.2 percent

Those who pursue a construction management career can expect good employment opportunities during the near future. The BLS reports that employment will increase by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average growth rate expected for all industries.

You also can expect to be paid relatively well. During 2008, the median wage for construction managers throughout America was $79,860 per year, with the middle 50 percent of workers earning between $60,650 per year and $107,140 per year.

Some related occupations include: architects, engineers, cost estimators, engineering and natural sciences managers, and landscape architects.

According to a report from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the State of Oregon has used more than $107 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act during the past year on construction projects to fix roads and bridges.

A separate report from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee found that funding supported 288 projects, which in turn created about 6,359 jobs throughout Oregon. This is welcome news, as the state had an unemployment rate of 11 percent during December 2009.

“In 2009, Oregon had the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation,” Matthew Garrett, director of the Oregon Transportation Department, said. “Federal (stimulus) funds were a critical boost to employment at a crucial time, and we have a better transportation system as its legacy. Make no mistake, however, much more is needed.”

Some of the most notable construction projects in Oregon supported by stimulus funding, as noted by the Statesman Journal, include:

• Enhancements for computer-based traffic management systems in the Portland area.
• Improvements to a network of walking and biking trails that stretch from the Glenn Jackson Bridge to Gladstone in Clackamas County.
• Construction of a transit center in Hood River.
• Improvements to Interstate 405 near Portland.
• Realignment of a dangerous section of Highway 20. The project includes the construction of eight new bridges.

The funds received by Oregon were part of a $787 billion economic recovery bill passed by President Barack Obama one year ago. States were allocated $48 billion for road, bridge, transit, high-speed rail and aviation projects, with about $27 billion of that meant for road and bridge projects alone.

Central City Concern, a Portland-based community health clinic, recently announced that it will build a $12.5 million mental health clinic in the downtown area. The project, which is expected to be complete within two years, will help to create 111 construction jobs.

The Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton area could certainly use the additional construction positions. During October, the area’s construction industry employed 51,000 workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 52,000 workers during September and a 16.7 percent decrease from last year.

According to an article by Portland Business Journal, Central City Concern will buy the site of the clinic from a local bank in part with an $8.9 million federal grant. However, the organization still needs to raise $3.5 million to fund the project.

The mental health clinic will be located at the former site of a Burger King, which will be torn down and replaced with a two-story building connected to Central City Concern’s neighboring residential facility, an $18 million 12-story building with 180 units for recovering addicts and clinic space.

Once the new facility is constructed and one of Central City Concern’s current facilities are closed, the organization will be able to see 1,350 additional patients each year.

The federal funding for the project is part of $600 million from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act slated for construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers throughout the country. That funding also will help health clinics adopt electrical health records and other health information technology systems.

“Together, these three initiatives – funding for construction, technology and a medical home demonstration project – won’t just save more money, and create more jobs, they’ll give more people the peace of mind of knowing that health care will be there for them and their families when they need it,” President Barack Obama said. “Ultimately, that’s what health reform is really about.”