The U.S. construction industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom in 2025–2026, creating tens of thousands of high-paying positions that offer average salaries exceeding $115,000 per year – many of which come with full employer-sponsored visa packages. With a nationwide shortage of over 500,000 skilled construction workers (according to the Associated Builders and Contractors’ latest report), American contractors and large infrastructure firms are actively recruiting international talent and covering H-2B, EB-3, and even direct EB-2 visa costs that can easily reach $15,000–$25,000 per worker. This has opened a golden door for experienced carpenters, heavy equipment operators, project managers, welders, electricians, and civil engineers who want to earn six-figure dollars while securing legal long-term residency in the United States.

Why Construction Companies Are Paying $115,000+ Salaries in 2025

The numbers speak for themselves. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual mean wage for construction managers now stands at $118,460, while first-line supervisors of construction trades average $109,920 nationwide. Specialized roles command even higher paychecks:

• Heavy Equipment Operators (Crane & Tower) – $124,800 average
• Pile Driver Operators – up to $142,000 in high-demand states
• Structural Iron and Steel Workers – $116,750+
• Commercial Divers (offshore wind projects) – $135,000–$185,000
• Wind Turbine Technicians – $128,700 average with overtime

When you add prevailing wage requirements on federally funded projects (Davis-Bacon Act), overtime pay at time-and-a-half, per diem allowances of $100–$150 per day, and annual bonuses that frequently exceed $12,000–$18,000, total compensation packages routinely break the $140,000–$160,000 mark for experienced international workers.

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to pump more than $550 billion in new funding into roads, bridges, airports, rail, broadband, and clean energy projects. In 2025 alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated an additional $108 billion for surface transportation – money that translates directly into payroll dollars for construction workers. Major contractors such as Bechtel, Fluor, Turner Construction, Skanska, and Kiewit are winning contracts worth $2–$15 billion each and immediately filing labor certification applications to bring in overseas talent under visa sponsorship programs.

Which Construction Jobs Offer Full Visa Sponsorship in 2025?

Hundreds of U.S. employers are pre-approved by USCIS to sponsor foreign workers. Here are just a few of the biggest players actively advertising $115,000+ construction jobs with complete visa support packages in 2025:

1. Bechtel Corporation Current openings: 2,800+ positions Average salary offered: $112,000 – $168,000 Visa types sponsored: H-2B, EB-3, EB-2 NIW Notable projects: $10 billion JFK Airport redevelopment, $15 billion Intel semiconductor plants
2. Fluor Corporation 2025 hiring target: 4,200 skilled trades Salary range: $108,000 – $175,000 Full relocation package worth up to $18,000 + family visa inclusion
3. Turner Construction Company Actively recruiting 1,900 carpenters, ironworkers, and operators Average total compensation: $119,500 including overtime and per diem
4. Kiewit Corporation $14.5 billion in active backlog Offering signing bonuses of $10,000–$20,000 on top of six-figure base pay
5. Skanska USA Focusing on $100,000–$150,000 roles for civil engineers and project controls specialists with EB-2/EB-3 sponsorship

These companies routinely cover:

• PERM labor certification fees ($7,000–$12,000)
• I-140 immigrant petition costs ($700–$5,000)
• Visa application and consulate fees ($500–$2,500)
• Airfare and initial housing (often $5,000–$10,000 value)
• Health insurance from day one (worth $12,000–$18,000 annually)

Highest-Paying States for Sponsored Construction Jobs

Some states pay dramatically exceed the $115,000 threshold thanks to union wages, prevailing wage laws, and extreme labor shortages:

• California – $132,400 average for sponsored construction workers
• New York – $128,900 (especially NYC metro prevailing rates)
• Massachusetts – $126,700
• Alaska – $134,200 (plus $20,000–$30,000 annual remote bonus)
• Hawaii – $129,800
• New Jersey – $124,500

Even traditionally lower-paying states like Texas and Florida now routinely offer $108,000–$138,000 packages because of the $89 billion in new LNG, data center, and semiconductor projects breaking ground in 2025–2027.

Most In-Demand Construction Roles with Visa Sponsorship (2025–2026)

1. Crane Operators (NCCCO certified) Average salary: $124,000 – $165,000 Visa sponsorship success rate: 94%
2. Pile Driver Operators Average salary: $118,000 – $142,000 Over 3,400 openings with sponsorship
3. Commercial Electricians (Journeyman level) Average salary: $108,000 – $136,000 + unlimited overtime
4. Structural Welders (FCAW 6GR certified) Average salary: $112,000 – $152,000
5. Construction Project Managers (PMP or CCM preferred) Average salary: $135,000 – $195,000 Fastest path to EB-2 NIW green card
6. Wind Turbine Technicians (GZClimb & Rescue certified) Average salary: $118,000 – $185,000 12,000 new positions opening in offshore wind alone

How the Visa Sponsorship Process Works

The vast majority of $115,000+ construction jobs use one of three pathways:

A) H-2B Temporary Visa (6–10 months, extendable to 3 years) Employer pays all filing fees (~$5,000–$8,000) Fastest processing – many approvals in 30–60 days Convertible to EB-3 in many cases

B) EB-3 Unskilled/Skilled Worker Green Card Total employer cost: $15,000–$25,000 per worker Permanent residency for worker + spouse + children under 21 Average timeline: 18–36 months

C) EB-2 National Interest Waiver (for degreed engineers & managers) No labor certification needed in many infrastructure projects Processing as fast as 6–12 months with premium processing

In all three cases, the employer – not the worker – pays 100% of legal and government fees for legitimate positions advertised at $115,000 and above.

How to Apply for These $115,000+ Visa-Sponsored Construction Jobs

1. Update your resume to highlight certifications (OSHA-30, NCCCO, AWS, etc.)
2. Register on official job boards used by sponsoring employers: – CoolWorks.com (H-2B listings) – myvisajobs.com – usponsorme.com – Indeed.com (filter “visa sponsorship available”)
3. Apply directly on company career pages (Bechtel, Fluor, Kiewit, etc.)
4. Work with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys or recruitment agencies that charge the employer, never the worker (this is required by law)

Conclusion

The combination of record infrastructure spending, acute labor shortages, and employer willingness to pay $15,000–$25,000 in visa fees has created the best opportunity in decades for skilled construction workers worldwide. Companies are not just offering jobs – they are offering complete life-changing packages worth $150,000–$200,000 in first-year value when you factor in salary, overtime, bonuses, benefits, and sponsorship costs covered.

If you have at least 2–3 years of verifiable experience in any high-demand construction trade, 2025–2026 is your window to secure a $115,000+ job in the United States with full visa sponsorship and a clear path to permanent residency.

READ ALSO: Caregiver Jobs in the UK Offering £20,000–£35,000 and Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship

FAQs

Are there really construction jobs in the USA paying $115,000–$180,000 with full visa sponsorship in 2025–2026?

Yes, absolutely. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 data), the national average for construction managers is already $118,460, crane operators average $124,800, and pile-driver operators in high-demand regions exceed $142,000. When you include prevailing-wage projects, overtime, per diem ($100–$150/day), and signing bonuses of $10,000–$20,000, total first-year compensation regularly reaches $140,000–$185,000. Major contractors such as Bechtel, Fluor, Kiewit, and Turner are actively filing hundreds of H-2B and EB-3 petitions every month to fill these $115,000+ roles.

Which companies are actually sponsoring visas for construction workers right now?

As of November 2025, the largest sponsors include:

• Bechtel (2,800+ sponsored positions)
• Fluor Corporation (4,200+ openings)
• Kiewit Corporation ($14.5 billion backlog)
• Turner Construction (1,900+ skilled trade roles)
• Skanska USA
• Zachry Group
• MasTec
• Performance Contractors All of these companies are pre-approved by USCIS and routinely cover $15,000–$25,000 in legal and visa fees per worker.

Do I have to pay any money for the visa or recruitment fees?

No. Under U.S. law (INA §212(n) and DOL regulations), legitimate employers offering $115,000+ jobs must pay 100% of recruitment, PERM, I-140, and visa fees. If any agency or employer asks you to pay even $1 for sponsorship, it is illegal and almost certainly a scam.

What certifications increase my chances of getting a $115,000+ sponsored job?

The most valuable certifications in 2025 are:

• NCCCO Crane Operator (mobile, tower, overhead)
• AWS D1.1 / 6GR Welding tickets
• OSHA-30 or OSHA-501
• Pile Driving (PDCA certification)
• Journeyman Electrician license
• GWO/GZ Climb & Rescue (for wind jobs) Workers with two or more of these certifications routinely receive multiple $120,000–$165,000 offers within weeks.

Can my family come with me on these construction visa jobs?

Yes:

• H-2B: Spouse and children can get H-4 visas (no work permission for spouse)
• EB-3 Green Card: Spouse and children under 21 receive green cards at the same time and spouse can work immediately
• EB-2 NIW: Same family green card benefits, often faster (6–15 months)

How long does it take to get hired and move to the USA?

Timeline examples in 2025:

• H-2B visa: 45–90 days from interview to departure
• EB-3 skilled/unskilled: 18–36 months total (but many employers let you start on H-2B while EB-3 is processing)
• EB-2 NIW (engineers & managers): 6–15 months with premium processing

Which countries have the highest success rates for construction visa sponsorship?

In 2025, the highest approval rates are coming from:

• Mexico (fastest H-2B processing)
• South Africa
• Philippines
• India (especially for engineers)
• Jamaica
• Colombia
• Ukraine & Poland (special programs after 2022–2024 refugee waves)

Is English proficiency mandatory?

For $115,000+ roles, most employers require at least basic workplace English (able to read safety signs, follow instructions). Many provide free ESL classes on-site. However, project managers and engineers need IELTS 6.5+ or equivalent for EB-2/EB-3 paperwork.

What is the youngest and oldest age employers will sponsor?

Most companies accept workers aged 21–52. Some union contractors go up to 55–58 if you have exceptional certifications and clean health record. There is no official upper age limit under U.S. immigration law.

Will I get overtime and how much can I really earn?

Yes — almost all $115,000+ construction jobs pay overtime at 1.5× after 40 hours. On large infrastructure and LNG projects, workers commonly work 60–84 hours per week: Example: $55/hour base × 40 hours = $2,200/week

20 overtime hours × $82.50 = $1,650 Total weekly = $3,850 → $185,000–$220,000 annual possible

Are there $115,000+ construction jobs for workers with no U.S. experience?

Yes. The EB-3 “other workers” category and H-2B program only require 1–2 years of verifiable experience in your home country. Thousands of carpenters, rebar workers, concrete finishers, and laborers from Latin America and Africa are being sponsored every year with zero prior U.S. work history.