How to hire a construction specialist

How to hire a construction specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step construction specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a construction specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new construction specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a construction specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your construction specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a construction specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A construction specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, construction specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of construction specialist salaries for various roles:

   Type of Construction Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Construction Specialist	Construction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.	$17-44
   Prestressed Concrete Labour	Prestressed concrete labor works at construction sites where they are in charge of handling and processing prestressed concrete materials into structural forms. They typically coordinate with managers and engineers to learn the construction plans and guidelines, design and build structures, prepare materials, and perform corrective measures when necessary... Show more	$12-20
   General Foreman	Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame... Show more	$17-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Construction Management
   • Project Management
   • Oversight
   • Ladders
   • Cost Estimates
   • Autocad
   • OSHA
   • Plumbing
   • Technical Support
   • RFI
   • Construction Drawings
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Rules

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
   • Prepare Sheetrock via plastering for painting.
   • Perform major hotel and tourist villa remodeling work including sheetrock repairs, concrete jobs and tiling projects.
   • Frequent use of shovels, rakes, sledgehammers, digging bars, picks, and various other hand tools.
   • Perform shoring of large excavations, buildings, and structures.
   • Certify crane operator, CPR first-aid and emergency triage certify.

   More construction specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your construction specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A construction specialist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, construction specialists' average salary in idaho is 56% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level construction specialists earn 61% less than senior-level construction specialists.
   • Certifications. A construction specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a construction specialist's salary.

   Average construction specialist salary

   $58,402yearly

   $28.08 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level construction specialist salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

   Average construction specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$93,250	$45
   2	California	$92,759	$45
   3	Pennsylvania	$77,152	$37
   4	Michigan	$74,112	$36
   5	Massachusetts	$73,429	$35
   6	Illinois	$70,769	$34
   7	Ohio	$68,906	$33
   8	Minnesota	$67,966	$33
   9	North Carolina	$64,413	$31
   10	Texas	$64,110	$31
   11	Oregon	$62,599	$30
   12	Missouri	$61,586	$30
   13	Arizona	$61,204	$29
   14	Maine	$57,612	$28
   15	Florida	$57,317	$28
   16	Louisiana	$57,305	$28
   17	Alabama	$54,089	$26
   18	North Dakota	$54,073	$26
   19	Utah	$53,979	$26
   20	Kansas	$52,150	$25

   Average construction specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Talbots	$103,712	$49.86
   2	Southern California Edison	$99,414	$47.80	7
   3	New York Power Authority	$95,896	$46.10	2
   4	Autodesk	$94,266	$45.32	1
   5	Edison International	$93,908	$45.15	6
   6	Air Liquide	$90,554	$43.54	1
   7	TEKsystems	$89,972	$43.26	9
   8	Technip USA Corporation	$89,122	$42.85
   9	Goldman Sachs	$89,037	$42.81
   10	Michael Baker	$86,547	$41.61	50
   11	Bechtel Corporation	$85,066	$40.90	23
   12	Cenergy International Services	$82,796	$39.81
   13	Black Hills	$82,544	$39.68
   14	CDM Smith	$82,484	$39.66	1,170
   15	Gilbane Building Company	$82,167	$39.50	38
   16	Nabholz	$81,121	$39.00	16
   17	Hill International	$80,678	$38.79	22
   18	STV Group	$80,350	$38.63	17
   19	Cardinal Financial	$80,243	$38.58
   20	Kitchell	$80,177	$38.55	4

4. Writing a construction specialist job description

   A construction specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a construction specialist job description:

   Construction specialist job description example

   Safety Management Systems is seeking Health, Safety, and Environmental Specialists to provide HSE support for pipeline projects in the Louisiana area.
   
   The Midstream Construction HSE Specialist will work with the company and contractor's site management team to develop and implement the project and site safety programs; manage hazard and risk assessments for oil and gas pipeline work; work with customers to design, enhance, and maintain safety management systems; advise site team (company, contractor, and subcontractors) of company's safety requirements, regulations, expectations, and best practices; provide overall administration, technical guidance, and leadership in complying, interpreting and implementing all regulatory requirements regarding safety; develop and implement Health, Safety, and Security policies and procedures in compliance with group, local, state, and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations and safety best practices; develop best in class HSE performance, drive culture change, and provide demonstrable process improvements; ensure safety policies and procedures are followed by providing suitable assurance audits as deemed necessary; inspect or audit facility activities to detect existing or potential accident and health hazards to ensure gaps are closed; lead investigations and prepare accident root cause investigations; generate reports for management and customers as needed; may carry/handle equipment; perform all other duties as assigned.
   
   The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree, a strong background in HSE pipeline construction, excavation and refinery work , and a minimum of 3-5 years of midstream construction experience. Must possess a strong working knowledge of OSHA regulations, be willing to travel on a 5/2 schedule, and have a current TWIC card. Must be willing to travel.
   Candidate must display:
   
   A proven record implementing various policies and procedures that have resulted in reducing safety incidents in the workplace.
   
   Strong interpersonal and communications skills, both verbal and written. Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and presentation skills.
   
   Ability to demonstrate initiative and assertiveness; to plan and manage work in an efficient manner; to work well under stress and time pressures.
   
   Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively and professionally with employees and managers. Must possess the ability to write simple correspondence or reports. Must possess the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees and/or managers.
   
   Must be knowledgeable of company protocols, operational procedures, and safety policies.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
   
   Acadian'sSafety Management Systems (SMS) deploys registered paramedics specially trained as remote paramedics,HSE consultants, and on-site safety technicians, as well as offers an extensive array of regulatory and compliance training services.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find construction specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any construction specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level construction specialists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your construction specialist job on Zippia to find and attract quality construction specialist candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting construction specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new construction specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect construction specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new construction specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a construction specialist?