Best institutions to study Building Construction Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to residential and commercial building construction and remodeling.
127 U.S. institutions graduated 2,137 Building Construction Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0415, a specialization of Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04), and leads most directly to the Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3022).
About Building Construction Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to residential and commercial building construction and remodeling. Includes instruction in construction equipment and safety; site preparation and layout; construction estimating; blueprint reading; building codes; framing; masonry; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electrical and mechanical systems; interior and exterior finishing; and plumbing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Building Construction Technology/Technician program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills in residential and commercial building construction and remodeling. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the construction trades, focusing on both practical and theoretical aspects of building construction and finishing techniques.
Students will gain essential skills in areas such as construction equipment and safety, blueprint reading, construction estimating, and various building systems, including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning to ensure students are well-equipped for the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Building Construction Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year834 graduates / yr · 53 institutions39%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years706 graduates / yr · 61 institutions33%
- Associate's degree475 graduates / yr · 50 institutions22%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years93 graduates / yr · 10 institutions4.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks28 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Building Construction Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 909 |
| 2013 | 963 |
| 2014 | 1,092 |
| 2015 | 1,131 |
| 2016 | 1,037 |
| 2017 | 1,013 |
| 2018 | 1,102 |
| 2019 | 1,362 |
| 2020 | 1,279 |
| 2021 | 1,174 |
| 2022 | 1,449 |
| 2023 | 1,719 |
| 2024 | 1,924 |
| 2025 | 2,137 |
Top 50 institutions for Building Construction Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle Central College Seattle, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 125 | 32% | — | — |
| 2 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 100 | 40% | — | $51,303 |
| 3 | Centralia College Centralia, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 98 | 42% | — | — |
| 4 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 75 | 48% | — | — |
| 5 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 54 | 35% | — | — |
| 6 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 49 | 53% | — | $44,225 |
| 7 | San Jose City College San Jose, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 42 | 34% | — | — |
| 8 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 30% | — | — |
| 9 | CET - San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 87% | $21,055 | $28,485 |
| 10 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 39 | 34% | — | — |
| 11 | Palo Verde College Blythe, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 31% | — | — |
| 12 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 35 | 19% | — | — |
| 13 | CET - Santa Maria Santa Maria, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 77% | $2,174 | $28,485 |
| 14 | CET - Watsonville Watsonville, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 83% | $1,680 | $28,485 |
| 15 | North American Trade Schools Baltimore, MDPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 69% | $12,895 | — |
| 16 | New Castle School of Trades New Castle, PAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 32 | 76% | $7,553 | $31,601 |
| 17 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Pulaski Pulaski, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 30 | 75% | — | — |
| 18 | Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 56% | — | — |
| 19 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 29 | 24% | — | — |
| 20 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 76% | — | — |
| 21 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 21% | — | $33,914 |
| 22 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 28 | 71% | — | $36,873 |
| 23 | CET - Oxnard Oxnard, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 42% | $10,977 | $28,485 |
| 24 | Central Maine Community College Auburn, MEPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 30% | — | — |
| 25 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson Dickson, TNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 26 | 74% | — | — |
| 26 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville, TNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 70% | — | — |
| 27 | Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 64% | — | — |
| 28 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis Memphis, TNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 55% | — | — |
| 29 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 24 | 50% | — | $37,575 |
| 30 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 34% | — | — |
| 31 | CET - El Centro El Centro, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 93% | $19,396 | $28,485 |
| 32 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 42% | — | — |
| 33 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Livingston Livingston, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 78% | — | — |
| 34 | Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 23 | 84% | — | — |
| 35 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicAssociate's | 22 | 55% | — | — |
| 36 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton Elizabethton, TNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 81% | — | — |
| 37 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 49% | — | — |
| 38 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 30% | — | — |
| 39 | Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 40% | — | — |
| 40 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAssociate's | 19 | 76% | — | $37,485 |
| 41 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Crump Crump, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 63% | — | — |
| 42 | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 38% | — | — |
| 43 | CET - Soledad Soledad, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 81% | $13,944 | $28,485 |
| 44 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAssociate's | 18 | 38% | — | — |
| 45 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NVPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 32% | — | — |
| 46 | Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SCPublicAssociate's | 17 | 18% | — | — |
| 47 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 16 | 40% | — | — |
| 48 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SDPublicAssociate's | 15 | 73% | — | $38,635 |
| 49 | Lively Technical College Tallahassee, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 51% | — | — |
| 50 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown Morristown, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 80% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Building/Construction Finishing field (CIP 46.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 35 states & territories
Where Building Construction Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Building/Construction Finishing programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3022, Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 5,500 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $64,200, with a typical education requirement of an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0415
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3022 | $64,950 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,500 | Associate's degree |
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SOC 47-1011 | $79,920 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~74,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Building Construction Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.
- Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
- Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
- Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
- Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
Tools and technology used
Other Building/Construction Finishing specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04).
- Building/CIP 46.0401
Property Maintenance 2,461 graduates / yr97 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0412
Construction Site Management/ Manager 1,748 graduates / yr73 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0499
Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection 638 graduates / yr36 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0403
Home/ Construction Inspection/ Inspector 334 graduates / yr31 institutions - Drywall Installation/CIP 46.0404
Drywaller partial data254 graduates / yr3 institutions - Concrete Finishing/CIP 46.0402
Concrete Finisher partial data79 graduates / yr6 institutions - RooferCIP 46.0410partial data42 graduates / yr3 institutions
- InsulatorCIP 46.0414limited data35 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Carpet, Floor, and Tile WorkerCIP 46.0413limited data30 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Painting/CIP 46.0408
Painter and Wall Coverer partial data29 graduates / yr4 institutions - GlazierCIP 46.0406limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Metal Building Assembly/CIP 46.0411
Assembler limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically offers awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn critical thinking, mathematics, blueprint reading, and various construction techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Civil Engineering Technologist or a First-Line Supervisor in construction.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1% and 5,500 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Building Construction Technology/Technician?+
Building Construction Technology/Technician is CIP 46.0415 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to residential and commercial building construction and remodeling. Includes instruction in construction equipment and safety; site preparation and layout; construction estimating; blueprint reading; building codes; framing; masonry; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electrical and mechanical systems; interior and exterior finishing; and plumbing.
How many institutions offer Building Construction Technology/Technician programs?+
127 U.S. institutions reported Building Construction Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 35 states & territories, awarding 2,137 credentials in the year. That is 27.4% of all Building/Construction Finishing graduates.
How much do Building Construction Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Building Construction Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,950 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Building/Construction Finishing field report median earnings of $31,601 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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