Take a quick look at the State Transportation Improvement Program and just contemplate what you see. Even without looking at the legend, you can immediately make out the magnitude of the projects earmarked for development by the state. The best part is, the scale of those projects requires significant labor to achieve.
Now, just think about it. What does this mean for you? The projects slated for inception and completion in the next ten years are aplenty. A lot of people are going to be required to make the project a success. This could be the start of an exciting career for you as a North Carolina Highway Contractor.
Is It a Good Time To Become a North Carolina Highway Contractor?
Roads are the backbone of any functional economy. They link producers and workers to the various markets that need their products and expertise. What's more, North Carolina is experiencing significant population growth, with the 2020 census indicating a 10% growth in the decade preceding the census.
All these people require to move around, and the current road infrastructure may not be adequate to accommodate a surge in car count on the roads. With an increasing population comes new markets and settlement areas; all these things are connected by the roads you are going to build.
So, to answer the question, yes, now is a good time to become a highway contractor in North Carolina. The North Carolina DOT ensures so through the State Transportation Improvement Program.
What Kind of Work Will You Be Handling as a North Carolina Highway Contractor?
The highway contractor job has slightly different requirements and responsibilities than one would expect of a general contractor. For one, even though you will be doing construction, the outcome of your work will be different.
You are going to be responsible for grading and paving roads using all types of materials, such as concrete or asphalt. The work also involves the relocation of utility lines appropriate to the project and may encompass bridge building and repair. Roadworks also include various features such as storm drainage, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parking decks, and more.
The highway classification means you are eligible to take on other jobs such as installation of highway hardware, for instance, guard rails, signage, and fencing. You can also take on paving and grading projects for aviation facility elements like runways, aprons, taxiways, runway marking, and lighting, among others.
The license is also going to cover specialty work, namely tunneling, marine or railroad construction, and concrete work.
How Much Can You Earn?
How much you earn is contingent on several factors, like any other industry. For one, you have to get the necessary licensing before beginning work. Once you get a steady job, the annual pay, on average, ranges between $52,000 on the lower side and $92,000 on the higher side.
One thing to note is, it's not uncommon to come across individuals raking in over $126,000 every year. These individuals are either highly skilled in specific tasks or have a wealth of experience across the entire spectrum of highway construction. As always, it's down to your hard work.
How Do I Get Started?
Getting started is simple: you just have to take the test and pass. The process that leads up to you succeeding in that exam is what requires excellent preparation. That's where we, Contractor Training Center, come in.
We are the leaders in helping aspiring highway contractors like you to excel in the exams for the first time trying. All you need to do is take our Highway Contractor Exam Prep course and put in some diligent studying. Then you are well on your way to a bright future in highway construction.
If you'd like to know more about what the exam prep course covers, here is a page that answers all your questions.