Page 37 - Skills - 2024

According to job search platform Indeed, the average project engineer’s salary in New York is just short of $100,000 a year. Joining a union could provide even more job security. For example, Local Laborers 60 pays between $40 an hour and $60 an hour, not including overtime pay.
‘A Sense of Accomplishment’
Then there’s the element of job satisfaction. Human resource firm BambooHR conducted a wide-ranging employee satisfaction survey in 2023 to identify the happiest industries, based on how likely employees were to recommend their organizations as a place to work. Construction came out on top, based on results from more than 1,600 companies — due to both rising wages and the significant number of job opportunities.
“You’re working with a team with a clearly defined objective, which is to build something, you’re getting paid well, and there’s a sense of accomplishment,” says Drapeau. “Then you can see the fruits of your efforts when the job
is completed.”
Similar to Cocks, he appreciates the stability of the job, especially knowing that most government incentives to help the economy involve some sort of infrastructure package. He usually works on no more than two projects at a time, but hopes to see himself move up to design- build manager to take on more responsibility one day.
“There’s a lot of opportunities to do a lot of creative problem-solving in the design-build world,” says Kingdon. “There’s a lot of opportunity for us to consider new approaches.”
A job in construction might be right for you if:
• You enjoy the satisfaction of making things.
• You’re a good team player.
• You’re detail-oriented and take pride in a job well done.
• You want skills that transfer easily to other states or even countries.
Some Key Westchester Employers
• Darante Construction Ltd.
• ECCO III Enterprises, Inc.
• LeChase Construction Services • KINGS Capital Construction
• Yonkers Contracting Corp.
Maggie Cocks
That’s exactly why Maggie Cocks loves her job as a project engineer for Yonkers-based ECCO III Enterprises, Inc., where she has been working for seven years. “I love the fact that I can ask questions and they tell me all different kinds
of ways to get one thing done,” says Cocks. “I love
the process of always thinking and computing.”
She’s out in the field for most of her projects, but she
also does get time at the desk, where she helps purchase materials. For her next role, she will be a superintendent, which is doing what she does now but one step up. Another path people take is to be a project manager, which is
the person who oversees the entire project from cost to subcontracting to scheduling.
“I think it’s a great choice for a career path,” says
Cocks. “There will always be work. There are hundreds
of bridges out there that are aging out. My grandfather was a carpenter and during the depression his family was comfortable. During the pandemic, I had a paycheck coming in.”
And for someone who likes the fact that the construction industry is a promising and reliable career path but doesn’t want to be out in the field at all, there are desk jobs available. James Kingdon, who also works for ECCO III, is a design-build project engineer and technical writer.
“Construction does have a lot of diversity of jobs in it,” says Kingdon. “I think a lot of people think about the boots- on-the-ground work, which is of course the main driver of the industry, but there is the entire business side as well. That involves all the pre-work stuff, like the design-build, estimating, and safety.”
What’s Hot. What’s Next. What’s Needed.
2024 SKILLS 35
© ECCO III Enterprises
© ECCO III Enterprises