Skillit

06/17/2026

A solar installer on a utility-scale project in 2026 can realistically gross $80,000+ in a single project year.

Here's how: $28/hr base + 55-hour weeks + $50/day per diem on a 9-month job = $82,000–$88,000 before the year is out.

And that's not a foreman rate. That's an experienced field installer who's willing to travel.

We broke down exactly what solar installers earn by state, project type, and role level — from helper all the way to superintendent.

https://zurl.co/1vnV9

06/16/2026

Plumbers in New York are making $45–$58/hr on commercial work. Plumbers in Nashville are making $27–$35.

Same job. Same skills. $20+/hr difference.

Where you work matters as much as what you know and if you're in a lower-paying market, knowing what other markets are paying is the first step to doing something about it.

We broke down journeyman and master plumber wages across 13 major U.S. markets for 2026 — Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, Seattle, and more.

Read the full article here: https://zurl.co/rJxAp

Plumber wages by city in 2026. See what journeyman and master plumbers earn in Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, New York, and 10+ more major markets, with breakdowns by experience level and sector.

06/15/2026

Most leads who don't get promoted to foreman aren't missing carpentry skills.

They're missing the skills contractors need to trust someone with a full project:

📋 Reading a 3-week lookahead and working backward
📐 Reviewing drawings to catch conflicts before they hit the field
💰 Tracking labor hours against the estimate
🗣️ Communicating up to the superintendent AND down to the crew

Foreman pay ranges from $38 to $78/hr depending on market. The gap between that and lead carpenter pay is $6 to $15/hr in most markets and every year you stay stuck costs real money.

We broke down exactly what separates the two roles, what skills you need to close the gap, and what wages look like across 9 markets.

https://zurl.co/uut7n

06/10/2026

🚨 A CPR certification might be the most important certification you ever earn.

Construction workers face real risks every day—falls, electrical incidents, heat-related emergencies, and serious injuries. When an emergency happens, the first few minutes can make all the difference. CPR and First Aid training can help you respond before EMS arrives and potentially save a coworker's life.

The good news? Most CPR and First Aid certifications can be completed in a single day and can make you a more valuable worker on any jobsite. Many contractors and projects also prefer or require workers with current certifications.

Want to learn more about CPR and First Aid certifications for construction workers?

📖 Read the full article:
https://zurl.co/Sf7ha

Have you ever had to use CPR or First Aid skills on a jobsite? Share your experience below 👇

More contractors now require first aid and CPR certification before you set foot on a jobsite. Here's what the requirement means, which cert to get, and how it affects your pay in 2026.

06/09/2026

💰 Thinking about getting into construction as a General Laborer?

The answer to "How much does a General Laborer make?" depends a lot on where you work. Some cities are paying significantly more than others, especially as demand for skilled construction workers continues to grow.

Whether you're just getting started in construction or looking for your next opportunity, knowing the pay rates in your area can help you make smarter career decisions.

We've broken down General Laborer pay rates across major U.S. cities so you can see where the opportunities are.

📖 Check out the full breakdown:
https://zurl.co/LiW8y

What city are you working in, and does the pay match what you're seeing in the field? Let us know below 👇

See what general construction laborers earn in 20+ major U.S. cities. BLS-sourced wage data by market, experience level, and project type — so you know if your pay is competitive.

06/08/2026

The apps on your jobsite aren't as complicated as they look.

Procore, Fieldwire, ClockShark, most field workers use fewer than 5 screens in any of them. Clock in. Pull a drawing. Log your day. That's the job.

What actually trips people up isn't the tech. It's trying to learn the whole platform at once instead of just the three tasks your foreman needs from you.

Workers who get comfortable with jobsite tech faster get considered for lead and foreman roles faster. Not because they became software experts but because supers don't have to factor them in as a liability.

We broke down exactly how to get functional fast, including what to do when your phone's too old, when there's no signal, and what platform experience you can actually use as leverage when you're negotiating your next rate.

https://zurl.co/KRARR

New apps, digital timecards, and jobsite software don't have to be intimidating. Here's how craft workers can build tech confidence fast — without slowing down your work.

06/05/2026

Carpentry covers a wide range of work including rough framing, finish carpentry, cabinetry and formwork and pay reflects that range. But in almost every U.S. market, experienced carpenters are earning more in 2026 than they were two years ago.

In high-cost markets like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle, union carpenters regularly pull $40–$55/hour. In Southern and Midwest markets, non-union rates in the $25–$38 range are common for experienced hands.

We put together a market-by-market look at what carpenters are earning in 2026 — including the difference between union, non-union, and specialty carpentry rates.

👉 Full breakdown on the Skillit blog: skillit.com/blog/carpenter-pay-across-us

06/04/2026

A lot of craft workers start out as general laborers, moving materials, cleaning up, doing whatever the foreman needs. It's honest work, but the pay ceiling is real.

The path from general labor to a skilled trade is more accessible than most people think. Apprenticeships are open to career changers. NCCER credentials give you a resume edge before you even finish training. And once you're 12–18 months into a trade apprenticeship, you're typically earning more than you were as a laborer.

We put together a practical guide to making the jump, covering which trades are easiest to enter, what the pay progression looks like, and how to get started without going back to school full time.

👉 Read it on the Skillit blog: skillit.com/blog/how-to-move-from-general-labor-to-a-skilled-trade

06/03/2026

Welding pay varies more than most trades and location plays a huge role, but so does specialized certifications. A welder doing structural work in Houston can earn $28–$38/hour. The same skill set applied to pipeline or offshore work in the Gulf pushes that number well past $40.

In 2026, demand for certified welders is outpacing supply in most major markets, which means negotiating leverage is real if you know your numbers.

We pulled current market rates for welders across the top U.S. construction markets, broken down by city, sector (structural, pipe, specialty), and certification level. If you're thinking about relocating or negotiating your next rate, start with the data.

👉 Full market breakdown on the Skillit blog: skillit.com/blog/what-welders-make-across-us

06/02/2026

Getting handed your first foreman role is exciting and also a crash course in skills nobody trained you for. Reading plans, tracking material deliveries, running a morning huddle, handling the guy who won't show up on time. It's a different job than swinging a hammer.

The foremen who stick are the ones who get ahead of problems instead of reacting to them. That means knowing how to read a schedule, communicate clearly with the super, and hold your crew accountable without burning the relationship.

We put together the core PM skills that separate foremen who move up from those who get pulled back to the tools. Worth a read before your next promotion conversation.

👉 Full guide on the Skillit blog: https://zurl.co/T3YPS