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What are the construction trades jobs that are easiest on the body?
While many jobs in the construction trades can be physically demanding, there are some roles that are less taxing on the body than others. These tend to involve more technical or supervisory tasks, rather than hands-on physical labor. Here are a few examples:
1. Construction Project Manager: This role involves overseeing construction projects from start to finish, ensuring they're completed on time and within budget. While it involves some time on the job site, much of the work is administrative and managerial, which can be less physically taxing.
2. Estimator: Estimators calculate the time, labor, and materials needed for a construction project. This role involves a lot of office work, such as reading blueprints and using software for calculations, and is generally less physically demanding than other construction trades.
3. Building Inspector: Building inspectors review structures to ensure they comply with local and national building codes, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. While it requires on-site visits, the physical demands are often less than those of other construction roles.
4. Draftsman/CAD Operator: Draftsmen or CAD operators use software to create detailed blueprints and plans for construction projects. This role is typically office-based and involves minimal physical strain.
5. Surveyor: Surveyors measure and map land, which informs construction projects and property boundaries. While it can involve fieldwork, modern surveying equipment has reduced the physical demands of this role.
6. Site Safety Coordinator: These professionals focus on ensuring safety regulations are followed on construction sites. While it involves walking around the site, the role is less physically strenuous than many other construction jobs.
Electricians vs Cabinet Makers vs Machinist vs Crane Operators vs Culinary vs Medical admins
Choosing a career in the skilled trades doesn't always mean signing up for a physically taxing job. There are several skilled trades that are considered "light lift," meaning they don't generally require heavy lifting or intense physical labor. Here are some examples:
Electricians
If you’re looking for a skilled trade that’s not physically taxing on your body, you might consider becoming an electrician. In this field, you won’t be lifting heavy loads or working with big equipment.
Instead, you’ll be working with electricity all day. That’s why it’s very important to be careful and follow safety procedures while on the job. One mistake could lead to serious injury.
Electricians are in high demand because they provide a valuable service. You will see them installing new electrical systems or repairing old ones in houses, commercial buildings, and industrial sites like factories and power plants. They usually work independently, but sometimes they team up with other electricians when the job is big enough to require more people.
Most electricians are paid well and have a good quality of life because they get benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans from their employers or unions (groups of workers who negotiate for better pay). Electricians can also specialize in different areas like residential construction or maintenance work at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
It is of note you are often working with your hands about your head for long periods of the day and often fishing wire through tight squeezes in the rafters so there are some physical aspects that can be tough on your back and body.
Cabinet makers
Cabinet makers build and install cabinets, countertops, and other fixtures in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of residential and commercial buildings. As a cabinet maker you must be able to stand for long periods of time, lift and carry heavy objects, and use power tools and other equipment. Cabinet makers can be found working in large factories or small shops. To become a cabinet maker you will need to complete an apprenticeship program that lasts three to four years.
Machinists
CNC Machinists and manufacturers can be jobs that are easier on the body because you spend more time on the computer and in front of machines. It does require standing for long periods of time and switching out sharp tools and parts so you do get lots of nicks and scratches. Machinist jobs are great if you have great attention to detail and safety awareness. The tools spin very fast so there is always a chance fingers or hair can get caught in them and harm you severely so awareness and safety training is essential.
Overall machinist jobs are something you can do for a long time without hurting your body because it don't require heavy lifting except for picking up heavy vices or materials from time to time.
Crane Operators and Heavy Machine Operators
Crane operators and heavy machine operators can be a great career if you are worried about your body holding up for the long term. Since you are operating a crane or vehicles is a cabin, you are mostly sitting and have some protection form the outdoor elements. It is of note these careers are primarily found through unions and they can be very competitive and hard to get into. Crane operators is one of the highest paying construction jobs so it is super competitive. The top union Crane operators in Chicago make $300,000 a year and only work 7- 8 months out of the year so you can imagine its quite competitive and takes a lot of training.
Culinary (cooks, bakers, etc)
The first question to ask yourself is: how much time do you want to spend on your feet? Culinary professionals in any position generally spend all day on their feet, running around the kitchen making sure the cooking process is going smoothly. Bakers tend to stand more than cooks, but cooks may need to lift heavier things (like hot pots and pans). Cooking also requires a level of physical fitness—the faster you can run, lift and chop, the better. It’s also good to be able to withstand higher temperatures—cooking kitchens can get very hot!
The next question is: how much time do you want to spend on your knees? Plumbing and electrical work both involve bending down and getting up over and over again. There are some positions for these trades where you may not need to bend quite so often—for example, electricians who work indoors with new circuits will likely do less kneeling than those who repair outdoor power lines or underground wiring.
Plumbers and electricians also have other factors that might affect which trade they prefer. For example, electricians often work in small spaces like crawlspaces or attics where they have no standing room and very little room for their equipment. This may pose a problem if you are claustrophobic or prone to panic attacks in tight spaces. Plumbers often have heavy tools that can be difficult to carry around all day (e.g., wrenches and pipe cutters).
Medical admins
A lot of people don’t know that medical administrative assistants are a type of skilled trade because they’re office based, low risk, and don’t require any physical labour or heavy lifting. They also don’t have standing or sitting for long periods of time, extreme temperatures, chemicals, travel requirements, or heavy machinery.
Skilled Trades Require Some Physicality
It's worth noting that the term "easiest on the body" can be relative and depends largely on an individual's physical condition and capabilities. Always consider your own limits and consult with a medical professional if needed. Additionally, keep in mind that all of these roles require specialized knowledge, skills, and often, specific education or certification.
Remember that even though these trades are less physically taxing, they still require a high degree of skill and specialized knowledge. And, as with any career, it's important to choose a trade not only based on its physical demands, but also on your interest and passion for the work.
