Building Construction Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Building Construction Technology equips students with the technical expertise needed to design, manage, and execute residential and commercial construction projects from concept to completion. This hands-on program emphasizes practical application, safety standards, and industry compliance, preparing graduates for immediate entry into the construction workforce or further specialization.
- Construction Equipment and Safety: Learn to operate and maintain essential machinery while adhering to rigorous safety protocols to ensure site compliance and accident prevention.
- Site Preparation and Layout: Master techniques for surveying, grading, and establishing precise project boundaries using modern tools and methods.
- Construction Estimating: Develop skills in cost analysis, material quantification, and budget forecasting to support project planning and financial accuracy.
- Blueprint Reading: Interpret architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings to guide accurate construction execution across all project phases.
- Building Codes and Regulations: Understand local, state, and national standards governing structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
- Framing Systems: Gain expertise in constructing load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures using wood, steel, and engineered materials.
- Masonry and Concrete Work: Apply techniques for laying bricks, blocks, and pouring concrete to build durable foundations, walls, and structural elements.
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): Study system design, installation, and maintenance to ensure indoor environmental quality and energy performance.
- Electrical and Mechanical Systems: Learn wiring, conduit installation, and integration of mechanical components within building frameworks.
- Interior and Exterior Finishing: Focus on surface treatments, drywall, trim, insulation, and cladding to achieve functional and aesthetic finishes.
- Plumbing Systems: Acquire knowledge of potable water delivery, drainage, fixture installation, and code-compliant system design.
Building Construction Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Building Construction Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Building Construction Technology degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers and Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 868,210 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers 47-1011 | $78,690 | $51,290 - $126,690 | 806,080 | $37.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3022 | $64,200 | $43,550 - $97,840 | 62,130 | $30.86 |
Building Construction Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,640 in Mississippi to $101,075 in District of Columbia—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 868,210 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Building Construction Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Building Construction Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Building Construction Technology is found at Seattle Central College (110 graduates), Centralia College (79 graduates), Orange Coast College (OCC) (67 graduates), CET, San Diego (66 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (58 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,872 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Central College |
Other Award
|
110 | Seattle, Washington | Public | seattlecentral.edu |
| Centralia College |
Other Award
|
79 | Centralia, Washington | Public | centralia.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
67 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
66 | San Diego, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
58 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| San Jose City College (SJCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
54 | San Jose, California | Public | sjcc.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
47 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Piedmont Technical College (PTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | ptc.edu |
| Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Rainsville, Alabama | Public | nacc.edu |
| North American Trade Schools (NATS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | natradeschools.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | tcatmurfreesboro.edu |
| New Castle School of Trades (NCST) |
Associate's
|
35 | New Castle, Pennsylvania | Private | ncstrades.edu |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) |
Other Award
|
35 | Walla Walla, Washington | Public | wwcc.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
34 | Watsonville, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
33 | Soledad, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
30 | Crossville, Tennessee | Public | tcatcrossville.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
30 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Associate's
|
29 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | El Centro, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Associate's
|
27 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
27 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Other Award
|
26 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
25 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
25 | Oxnard, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24 | Santa Maria, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
22 | Livingston, Tennessee | Public | tcatlivingston.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
21 | Elizabethton, Tennessee | Public | tcatelizabethton.edu |
| Manatee Technical College (MTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | manateetech.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Coachella, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Immokalee Technical College (iTECH) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Immokalee, Florida | Public | itech.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (TSCT) |
Associate's
|
17 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Public | stevenscollege.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Dickson, Tennessee | Public | tcatdickson.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
16 | Pulaski, Tennessee | Public | tcatpulaski.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Crump, Tennessee | Public | tcatcrump.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Other Award
|
15 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| University of Hawaii |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Kahului, Hawaii | Public | maui.hawaii.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Reno, Nevada | Public | tmcc.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Other Award
|
14 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
14 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Emily Griffith Technical College |
Other Award
|
13 | Denver, Colorado | Public | emilygriffith.edu |
| Daytona State College (DSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Public | daytonastate.edu |
| Sheridan Technical College (STC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Hollywood, Florida | Public | sheridantechnicalcollege.edu |
| Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Fairfield, Maine | Public | kvcc.me.edu |
| Lake Area Technical College (LATC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Watertown, South Dakota | Public | lakeareatech.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
12 | Morristown, Tennessee | Public | tcatmorristown.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Sheridan, Wyoming | Public | sheridan.edu |
| Cochise County Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Sierra Vista, Arizona | Public | cochise.edu |
| Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | South Portland, Maine | Public | smccme.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest (TCAT) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Newbern, Tennessee | Public | tcatnorthwest.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville (TCAT) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | tcatnashville.edu |
| Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Fort Walton Beach, Florida | Public | otcollege.net |
| Northland Pioneer College (NPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Holbrook, Arizona | Public | npc.edu |
| El Camino Community College District (ECC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Torrance, California | Public | elcamino.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| Central Maine Community College (CMCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Auburn, Maine | Public | cmcc.edu |
| North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) |
Associate's
|
9 | Wahpeton, North Dakota | Public | ndscs.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | McMinnville, Tennessee | Public | tcatmcminnville.edu |
| Butte College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Bangor, Maine | Public | emcc.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Associate's
|
8 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) |
Associate's
|
8 | East Greenwich, Rhode Island | Private | neit.edu |
| Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | The Dalles, Oregon | Public | cgcc.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Colton, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| Coconino Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | coconino.edu |
| Ilisagvik College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
7 | Barrow, Alaska | Public | ilisagvik.edu |
| Yavapai College |
Other Award
|
6 | Prescott, Arizona | Public | yc.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UA Little Rock) |
Residency
Other Award
|
6 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | ualr.edu |
| Lively Technical College (Lively Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | livelytech.com |
| Ridge Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | ridge.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College (PTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Presque Isle, Maine | Public | nmcc.edu |
| Navajo Technical University (Navajo Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Crownpoint, New Mexico | Public | navajotech.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
6 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | tcatmemphis.edu |
| Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | sbcc.edu |
| Suncoast Technical College (STC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Sarasota, Florida | Public | sarasotacountyschools.net |
| Butler Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | El Dorado, Kansas | Public | butlercc.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
|
5 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Williamsburg Technical College (WTC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Kingstree, South Carolina | Public | wiltech.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
5 | Hohenwald, Tennessee | Public | tcathohenwald.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Chipola College (CJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Marianna, Florida | Public | chipola.edu |
| Orange Technical College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Winter Garden, Florida | Public | orangetechcollege.net |
| Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) |
Other Award
|
4 | Beaufort, South Carolina | Public | tcl.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Other Award
|
4 | Harriman, Tennessee | Public | tcatharriman.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Building Construction Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Building Construction Technology degree?
Salaries for Building Construction Technology graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn a median of $78,690 annually, while Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn around $64,200. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $101,075 compared to $55,640 in Mississippi. Approximately 868,210 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Building Construction Technology programs?
Currently 129 accredited institutions offer Building Construction Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Seattle Central College (110 graduates), Centralia College (79 graduates), and Orange Coast College (OCC) (67 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Building Construction Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 440 in 2010 to 1,924 in 2023-24. This represents a 337% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Building Construction Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, . Related occupations employ approximately 868,210 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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