Anyone looking for a Chicago job in the construction industry may be out of luck for now.

While the construction industry in the State of Illinois as a whole is expected to grow during the near future, jobs are dropping off in the Chicago area.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area's construction industry employed 177,800 people in June 2008, a decrease of 3.9 percent from last year.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security notes employment in the state's construction and architecture industry is expected to grow faster than the national average through 2014.

"Employment in nonresidential construction is expected to grow because the replacement and renovation of many industrial plants and buildings has been delayed for years and a large number of structures will have to be replaced or remodeled, particularly in urban areas where space for new buildings is becoming limited," the site states. "Home improvement and repair construction is expected to continue to grow faster than new home construction.

"Remodeling should be the fastest growing sector of the housing industry and also tends to be more labor intensive," the site adds "Job opportunities are expected to be excellent for general maintenance and repair workers, electricians and carpenters, especially for workers with training and experience in construction occupations."

Possible jobs in the architecture and construction industry include:

• carpenters with 1,394 openings and a median salary of $51,950
• electricians with 944 annual openings and a median salary of $57,227
• plumbers with 823 annual openings and a median salary of $64,832
• brickmasons and blockmasons with 264 annual openings and a median salary of $59,293
• structural iron and steel workers with 137 annual openings and a median salary of $65,930
• drywall and ceiling tile installers with 114 annual openings and a median salary of $47,104
• surveyors with 63 annual openings and a median salary of $47,649
• general maintenance and repair workers with 1,427 annual openings and a median salary of $36,858
• heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers with 268 annual openings and a median salary of $40,790
• architects with 173 annual openings and a median salary of $66,614
• architectural and civil drafters with 100 annual openings and a median salary of $39,710

Those looking for Chicago jobs in construction, however, may have to wait.

Labels: Chicago Jobs