Construction Job Market? (Portland: home, schools, income)

[mcarnett]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are moving with our son in the next year. Right now, we live in Houston, TX, where my husband is a journeyman ironworker (union) working as a leadman in a fab shop. I stay home with our son, but will begin a Master's program when we move. We've narrowed down our list of potential places to move, with Portland being one of them.

So, my question is: How is the construction market in Portland? Would it be reasonable to expect my husband to continue as the only source of income?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Oh, and we are also considering Seattle, so if anyone knows about the market in that area, that would be great, too!

[Steve Pickering]

I think by the time you are ready to move it will change again, but Portland is not your best bet. Go north and look at the shipyards. The local union has a huge waiting list for high rise iron workers.

[wanderbygrace]

Construction is a pretty big umbrella. I work in the construction field, although we don't do iron work, and we are constantly hiring for experienced carpenters, siders, etc. Lately, it's been darned near impossible finding enough experienced help, which means we're turning away business. While talking w/our owner (I'm the Controller), he says it's fairly common in the industry right now in the region. Too many jobs and not enough solid workers. Not sure if that will translate into a good outcome for you, but it could.

However, as Steve said, it could very well change by the time you move here. The last two years have seen a dramatic spike in our part of the industry, compared to the utter annihilation felt 4-5 years ago.

[mcarnett]

Hubby is a journeyman ironworker, but he's done pretty much everything as far as construction goes, with the exception of HVAC. And he hates carpentry. I guess I'm thinking more about industrial or commercial construction.

It's feast or famine here, too, but I guess with the oil and gas industry here, the market never gets too bad. We just wanted to start looking, since I'll have to apply to schools and I want to narrow down the list.

As far as the union goes, how difficult is it to get on the books at the locals up in the Pacific Northwest area if you're coming from another local?

Thanks for the feedback!

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Iron worker? I imagine better luck for jobs in Seattle.