Overtime pay can be very valuable for construction workers, as it is a great way to increase income. This is because employers are required to pay at least one and one-half times the worker’s regular rate for overtime pay, although they can choose to pay more. Under California law, employers must pay overtime for work beyond eight hours on any day and forty hours in a week. Other construction workers can check to see which federal and state regulations apply to their overtime pay. There have also been recent changes in labor laws that make overtime apply to even more businesses. However, workers should also be vigilant and check their pay statements, as some companies have been known to make attempts to avoid paying overtime, even if it is required by law.
Various jobs in the construction industry are known to have long hours, and they regularly offer overtime. Here is an overview of a few specific jobs that allow workers to labor more than forty hours per week, although many other areas of focus can possibly pay overtime as well.
1. Masonry work
Many buildings have structures that are made of brick, stone, concrete, or other materials handled by masons. Governments and companies also need masons to create things like sidewalks and curbs. These tasks all require masons with the proper skills and experience. Workers who are masons can also expect to get overtime if they are working on a project that requires large amounts of concrete and brickwork.
2. Electricians and electrical work
Construction projects need wiring and fixtures put in place to get power to all of the lighting and outlets. For this reason, electricians are constantly in demand when a business is in the process of completing a building or other structures that will be occupied. Even when existing electrical systems that are in place require maintenance or repairs, it is possible that a group of electricians will be called in to work long hours. Construction workers can start to labor alongside experienced electricians to learn the trade and earn overtime pay if the project permits it.
3. Plumbing
Like electricians, plumbers provide a valuable skilled service to construction projects. A building will need various pipes, fittings, and other installations in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens that require running water and drainage. Plumbers can also be called to existing residential and commercial areas to fix and maintain their plumbing systems. Overtime pay is also common in this field, especially in large building projects that require huge pipe systems.
4. Excavation and drilling
Certain construction tasks can require getting into the ground for foundations, or underground structures like basements. Construction professionals who can dig into the ground and remove large amounts of dirt and stone from under the surface are necessary for these jobs. Ibisworld has found that there are 47,114 businesses that work in an excavation in the United States as of 2021. Technology is also changing in this field, as directional drilling is now capable of various new turns and angles, even though basic drilling techniques have already been around for several decades.
With these jobs in mind, construction workers should be able to find overtime work and earn additional money. This is projected to be a fast-growing field, and there will be lots of work available for motivated people in the future. However, workers should always check relevant labor laws and regulations in their state as well, due to the fact that there are issues with unpaid overtime in the construction business, and not all workers are eligible for overtime pay.
