The average age of a construction worker is 41. A few years ago, it was a bit less than 40. Construction’s aging workforce shows that the labor shortage isn’t bringing in enough younger people. There are a variety of ways that businesses are trying to get younger workers’ interest. If you have been wondering whether you should start a career in construction in your 20s, here are five reasons you’ll be glad you did.

You Can Start When Demand Is High
On occasion, you’ll probably read something about the labor shortage in construction. For almost a decade now, the construction industry has had a significant shortage of qualified workers. Starting in the industry when demand is high can offer a lot of benefits. The more that companies need workers, the more likely they are to offer enticing benefits like higher wages or upward mobility. Of course, if you wait too long, then you might miss out on some of those opportunities. Answering the call at the right time could set you up for better career choices in the future.

You’ll Have More Time to Pick Up Skills
Although people learn new skills and change careers throughout their lifetimes, there are certain benefits to making that decision earlier in your adult life. When you are younger, you are less likely to have the same kinds of obligations that people have in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. As such, you may have much more time that you can devote to studying and mastering those skills. Put in that time while it is easy, and you will see it pay off. By the time you’re ready to add more personal responsibilities to your plate, you may already have an established business.

You Can Establish a Reliable Income Faster
These days, building a career is as much about reliable income as it is about job fulfillment. Lots of jobs out there aren’t predictable or reliable, and you’re more likely to end up with those in your 20s. By comparison, construction has lots of opportunities that don’t require as much to get started. The earlier you start, the sooner you will see benefits in the form of a higher, reliable paycheck. While your friends from high school are still trying to find good jobs, you might have years of steady employment experience and a future that will keep improving upon it.

You’ll Have More Time to Build Your Business
Businesses take years to establish, and it’s better if you have more time in which to do it. Take a look at people who started a business in their 20s compared to people who switched careers and started a business in their 40s or 50s. The business owners who started earlier have more time to learn from their mistakes and turn that knowledge into larger profits. People who start later still have potential, but they’ll have to balance it with other responsibilities and the pressure to prepare for retirement. The difference might mean the ability to sell a successful, lucrative business, instead of simply closing it when you’re done.

You’ll Have a Better Chance at Early Retirement
Most people don’t start a business just so that they can leave it. But thinking about your plans for retirement is a good idea to do at any age. Financial experts say that if you like the idea of retiring in your 50s to enjoy a longer life, you need to start as soon as you can. Businesses often offer more growth potential and the ability to increase profits than standard employment. The earlier you begin on your career path, the longer you have to plan and save to make your goals easier to achieve.

Are you ready to find out the advantages of working in construction? One of the best ways to get what you want is to become a licensed contractor. For more information, visit CSLS today!