General Contractor
Skilled TradesYou're the one who bids the job, pulls the permits, hires the subs, and makes sure the whole project comes together on time and under budget — or at least close enough to keep the client from losing their mind. You need to know a little about every trade, a lot about scheduling and money, and everything about managing people who'd rather be left alone to work. It's running a business with a tool belt.
Salary Range
Low
$50k
Median
$78k
High
$140k
10-Year Growth
5%
US Workers
621K
Education
State contractor's license + years of trade experience (no degree required)
Environment
mixed
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Project estimating & bidding software
- ▸Building codes & permit processes
- ▸Blueprint & plan reading
- ▸Scheduling & project management (Buildertrend, CoConstruct)
- ▸Contract negotiation & lien law
- ▸OSHA safety compliance
- ▸QuickBooks & job costing
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Leadership
- ▸Negotiation
- ▸Problem solving
- ▸Communication
- ▸Time management
- ▸Decision-making
- ▸Client relationship management
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Scheduling & project management (Buildertrend, CoConstruct)
What you'll actually do
- 01Estimate project costs and submit bids to clients
- 02Pull permits and coordinate inspections with the city
- 03Hire and schedule subcontractors across trades
- 04Visit job sites to check progress and quality
- 05Manage project budgets, change orders, and timelines
- 06Call the client with bad news and somehow make it sound like an opportunity
- 07Deal with the sub who didn't show up today (there's always one)
Career Path
Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.
Construction Laborer / Tradesperson
$30k–$55k
Foreman / Project Superintendent
$55k–$80k
General Contractor
YOU ARE HERE$70k–$120k
GC Business Owner / Developer
$100k–$300k+
Related Shifts
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