Trades & Construction
How to become a General Contractor
From skilled trade: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 4–8 years
- Typical pay
- $70k–$120k
- Starting from
- Skilled trade
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from skilled trade and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
See general contractor jobs open nowThe route
Master a trade first
Contractors who have never built struggle to price or supervise work honestly.
Learn estimating and scheduling
Most contractors fail on cash flow and sequencing, not craftsmanship.
Course that covers thisPMP Practice Tests 2026: Project Management ProfessionalUdemy · around $19.99Meet your state licence requirements
Usually a trade exam, a business and law exam, proof of experience, and a bond.
State general contractor licence
Get bonded and insured
General liability and workers' comp before your first subcontractor sets foot on site.
Start small and deliberately
Remodels before ground-up. The first job that goes wrong should be survivable.
- Browse jobs now
Destination
General Contractor
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