The Top Deadly Jobs in the U.S. Are in the Construction Industry

According to a new study released by AdvisorSmith, 12 of the most 25 deadly jobs in the United States are related to the construction industry. Derrick workers in the oil gas and mining industry, roofers, ironworkers, crane operators, construction helpers, landscaping supervisors, highway maintenance workers, cement masons, ground maintenance workers, maintenance workers and mining machine operators have some of the highest death rates among all workers.

The third most dangerous activity of all American workers, behind logging workers and aircraft pilots and flight engineers, belongs to derrick operators in the oil gas and mining industry. Their job is to operate and maintain the derrick and drill equipment used to extract oil or gas. The yearly average salary of derrick operators is $51,390 and their average fatal injury rate is 46 per 100,000 workers. According to the most recent data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20 derrick workers died on the job in 2018.

Roofers come in right behind derrick operators with the fourth deadliest job. Roofers are responsible for installing, repairing, and replacing roofs on homes and buildings. They earn an average yearly income of $42,000 and their average fatal injury rate is 1 per 100,000 workers.

15 iron workers died on the job in 2018. They have the sixth most dangerous job with a death rate of 29 per 100,000 workers. Their average yearly income is $52,650.

Although power linemen have one of the best salaries among all construction workers with an average $71,960 yearly, fatality is also very common in the profession. Power linemen have the 10th most dangerous occupational activity in the US with a fatality rate of 20 per 100,000 workers.

Crane operators have the 13th most dangerous job in the US with a rate of 19 deaths per 100,000 workers. They make an average $60,530 a year. 9 of them died in 2018 in the US.

Construction helpers make only $31,830 a year on average have the 14th most dangerous job in the nation with a fatality rate of 18 per 100,000 workers. 11 of them died in 2018.
Landscaping supervisors have the same fatality rate as construction helpers but they are better compensated with a yearly average salary of $52,340.

Highway maintenance workers have the 16th deadliest line of work in the U.S., also at a fatality rate of 18 per 100,000 workers. 14 deaths were reported in 2018. The average salary of a highway maintenance worker is $42,410 a year.

Right behind them, at an average yearly salary of $48,340, are cement masons with the 17th deadliest job. Their fatality rate of 17 per 100,000 workers is cement masons. 11 of them died in 2018.

Ground maintenance workers have a job as dangerous as police officers with a fatality rate of 14 per 100,000 workers. In 2018, there were 225 fatalities on the job. The majority of ground maintenance worker died in traffic accidents traveling from one jobsite to another.

Maintenance workers make an average $39,080 and have been deemed as the 23rd most deadly job in the U.S. This line of profession also has a death rate of 14 per 100,000 workers. 64 of them died in 2018.

Protecting the Rights of Injured Construction Workers

Construction site accidents, specifically crane accidents, can seriously injure or kill construction workers as well as innocent bystanders. These victims and their loved ones may have a valid personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.

At Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., we understand the consequences that construction site accidents have on the lives of victims and the lives of their loved ones. In fact, senior partner and lead trial attorney Jeff S. Korek grew up in the construction industry and has first-hand knowledge of the inherent dangers in this kind of work. Such experience allows us to aggressively fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation that you deserve.

We Can Help You If You Are Injured

When you are injured in a construction site accident, you need to hire an experienced New York construction injury attorney to protect your legal rights. The attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek P.C. have more than 40 years of experience and knowledge to aggressively fight for your rights and get you the full extent of the monetary compensation that you deserve.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our New York construction injury attorneys, please call 1-800-529-9997.