Builder vs machine learning engineer: the better profession in the USA?

What could a builder and a machine learning engineer possibly have in common? Two entirely different fields: one puts up buildings, the other assembles digital systems. And yet there are similarities. Both are in demand in the USA, both require systematic, logical thinking, and both involve working as part of a team.

To decide which direction to develop in, it helps to study the key aspects of each: gather the general picture, look closely at how hard each is to enter, and picture where the career goes. Let's work out which of the two America promises more.

What building work in the USA is like

Infrastructure cannot develop without builders. It is a respected profession in the USA and worldwide, but the working conditions can hardly be called easy:

• you need stamina;
• the working day runs from early morning to late evening;
• you work in bad weather, on holidays and overtime.

A construction engineer has to understand building materials, handle the tools and pay close attention to safety requirements. You also have to read drawings and stick to the plan. Specialised trades are more in demand, but they require training and a certificate.

What to know about machine learning engineering in the USA

Like a builder, an ML engineer has their own tools. Not a tape measure and a hammer drill but frameworks, programming languages and computing resources. A machine learning engineer in the USA works remotely or in an office. The weather does not affect them, and the working day is usually fixed at around eight hours. Where a builder needs stamina, an ML engineer is valued for flexibility. Most companies let their people work from home.

To apply for a machine learning engineer role you need a set of skills:

• programming languages;
• a grasp of statistics and linear algebra;
• command of the machine learning tooling and the libraries;
• an understanding of how to work with databases;
• a grasp of how ML models are built and deployed.

The fastest, most effective way to learn both the theory and the practice is a course. At PASV, for instance, the training runs for eight months. In that time you can learn the fundamentals from scratch and become a confident junior specialist.

Comparing the salaries

According to Glassdoor and Indeed, the average salary for a junior ML engineer in the USA is $90,000–110,000 a year. A mid-level engineer can expect $150,000–200,000.

An average of $150,000 a year is also what a director of construction on large projects earns. But the more junior positions pay considerably less. A design engineer earns around $70,000 a year, a welder $40,000, and a general labourer $30,000–35,000. A construction engineer starting out earns around $60,000 a year. These figures assume a full eight-hour day and a normal working week.

Does building have a future in the USA?

Hands will always be needed: America is a country where infrastructure keeps developing. A builder's career usually progresses vertically — a worker can train as a foreman and then open the doors of their own construction company. But there are particulars worth noting:

• many builders' careers stay confined to building sites;
• during a downturn, demand for construction falls;
• a builder has to stay in good physical condition.

Technology keeps developing, and robotic systems are increasingly used in construction. The need for ordinary building labourers is not what it was ten years ago.

What to expect from machine learning engineering

• Technology will not stop developing, which means machine learning specialists will remain among the most valuable people in the job market.
• ML will be adopted across a range of fields, so the vacancies will grow more varied.
• Robotic systems will not stand in the way of an engineer's career. These specialists direct the technology, not the other way round.
• The scope for remote work will only widen.

To take advantage of all that, you have to keep learning and work hard. The PASV courses make entering the profession easier.

Frequently asked questions

How do you land a machine learning engineer role?
Complete the training, build a portfolio, study the vacancies on specialist platforms and LinkedIn, and go and interview.

How do you become a construction engineer?
The education takes four to five years, followed by practical experience.

Can you start looking for machine learning work after a PASV course?
Yes. Our courses take you from scratch to junior level, and many students start their search before the course is even over.

Which industries use machine learning?
Finance, logistics, healthcare, commerce and retail, and even entertainment and the arts. Analysts expect that list to keep growing.

Is AI an ally or a competitor to an ML engineer?
AI will not replace a specialist's professional skills. It is a tool an ML engineer uses.