It’s always important to stay on top of the current trends in your industry – no matter which you work in. Staying ahead of the curve could really be the key to success. But this is especially pivotal for those working in construction.

Construction markets fluctuate all the time, and there is significant variance between them. The things that are important for New York firms are not necessarily affecting those in Detroit. These two places could be experiencing vastly different scenarios at the same time based on their location and the dominant type of projects in each place.

There are many trends to stay on top of in Chicago. From the type of candidates desired, to the nature of the projects being done, Chicago construction is a unique market with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

Here are some of the most prominent factors for this market.

Dedicated Candidates Are In High Demand

Chicago construction firms are looking for candidate who will be with them for a significant amount of time. They’re searching for loyal employees, not job hoppers. You may think that you’ll need to work somewhere for a couple years to get a job at the firm you really want to land in, but that’s not the case in this market.

This is an environment in which you can get an entry-level position with a company and continue to move up the ladder through your career. So moving around too much could actually hurt your job prospects here.

Despite the stereotype that millennials love job hopping, there are many who just want to find a place where they can grow and prosper, rising through the ranks through the years. Those candidates could find a good fit in this market.

Prominent Projects and Desired Experience

In terms of the kind of buildings being worked on, Chicago construction caters to the commercial. When there are residential projects, though, they are typically multi-family dwellings. Industrial construction, however, is experiencing a huge upswing in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Hospitals are also in demand here, both in terms of building completely new facilities and updating ones that exist already. This is a niche segment of the market, and it is sometimes difficult to find the necessary talent for these projects. So, if you do have the appropriate experience, Chicago construction could have many opportunities for you.

As for candidates, those with a little more experience are in high demand. Firms are generally looking for 5-12 years’ experience on a resume. Estimators, Pre-Construction Managers, Project Managers, and Superintendents are especially sought-after. Firms also seek generalists more often than specialists, but both are in demand.

Because of the desire for general experience, project lists are slowly becoming more important than resumes. This document is an opportunity for candidates to shoe versatility and range of experience. Specifically, Chicago employers are looking at the project names, types of work, and the value of each project in a project list.

Candidate-Driven Market

Because firms are looking for good an abundance of good talent, there are a lot of opportunities for candidates to step into a better position than they currently hold. Even if you’re happy and comfortable in your job, it doesn’t hurt to see what’s out there. In fact, it could be extremely beneficial.

For candidates just breaking into the market, smaller Chicago construction firms could be the best option. They provide opportunities to work on projects all the way through the process, allowing them to touch it at every stage.

The compensation in Chicago construction is also very competitive. Counter offers are extremely prominent in this market. Candidates can expect multiple offers and multiple counters, which could work out in their favor.

Estimates average salaries are as follows:

  • Assistant PM’s $60k-$80k
  • Project Engineers: $60k-$80k
  • PMs $80k-$100k
  • Senior PMs $100k-$130K
  • Executive Directors $125k-$160k
  • Assistant Superintendents $60-80K
  • Superintendents $80-100K
  • General Superintendent $120-160K
  • Junior Estimators $60-80K
  • Estimators $80-120K
  • Senior Estimators: $120-150K

A Booming Market

The Chicago construction industry is in a great position right now. The summer season is especially fruitful in this market, mostly because of the weather. Chicago winters can be very brutal, so when the weather becomes more temperate in the spring, construction starts to pick up and hits a high in the summer.

This market could see a slowdown in fall, before the winter takes hold again. Even so, this is a phenomenal place for candidates to forge a construction career.
If you’d like to speak about the opportunities available in Chicago, or if you’d like help finding the right talent, reach out to one of our expert recruiters today.