1. Home automation technician
Annual salary: $45,556
Industry growth: The market for home automation is registering a 22% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) between 2023 to 2032. With global furnishing retailer IKEA joining the market in 2023, demand for installing won’t slow any time soon.
A home automation technician installs and repairs smart home technology allowing customers to control heating and cooling, lighting, security and more in their homes. Few companies hire for this position, but home automation is one of many home improvement business opportunities. You could grow your own startup by marketing your services to residents in nearby neighborhoods and cities.
2. Fence installation and repair
Annual salary: $39,840
Industry growth: Little or no change expected through 2032
Although the industry will see little change over the next decade, a fence installation and repair business can be rewarding if you like building and working outdoors.
3. Home weatherization
Annual salary: $39,850
Industry growth: 2% – 4% growth expected through 3032
A home weatherization company provides sealing, insulating and waterproofing for homes for both energy efficiency and home security.
4. Interior and exterior house painting
Annual salary: $46,090
Industry growth: 1% growth expected, with 377,900 job openings through 2032
Painting houses, walls, doors, and trim are common with a house painting business. You could also expand your offerings to include commercial painting for buildings and bridges.
5. Handyman services
Annual salary: $44,980
Industry growth: 2% – 4% growth expected, with 152,400 job openings through 2032
When you have a handyman business, you’ll have a variety of home repair and home maintenance projects to keep you from getting bored with your day-to-day tasks. You might start the day by installing a TV on a wall and end it by fixing window blinds. Either way, your skills are in high demand with homeowners.
6. Floor installation
Annual salary: $47,890
Industry growth: Annual growth of 3% expected, with 9,800 job openings through 2032
Improve the look and feel of homes or commercial property as a carpet, vinyl, tile, and wood floor installer. A floor installation business is physically demanding but doesn’t require a formal education — you can learn on the job.
7. Construction manager
Annual salary: $101,480
Industry growth: Faster than average annual growth of 5% expected with 528,700 job openings through 2032
A construction manager plans, coordinates, budgets, and supervises construction projects from start to finish. You might consider finding a niche in home renovation or kitchen remodeling. Whether you work in an office or a field office, you’ll spend most of your time indoors.
8. Garage door installation and repair (mechanical doors)
Annual salary: $47,010
Industry growth: Much faster than average annual growth of 9% expected with 28,000 job openings through 2032
Working with hand and power tools, you’d install, repair, maintain, and replace garage doors. Your repair services can even net wages if you’re willing to be on-call or can provide fast response times.
9. Interior decorating
Annual salary: $61,590
Industry growth: 4% annual growth expected through 2032
Interior design and decorating services help to make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful. Although the industry will see average growth, interior decorating businesses accounted for 94,900 jobs as of 2022.
10. Deck building
Annual salary: $39,520
Industry growth: Average annual growth of 4% expected with 151,400 job openings through 2032
The construction of decks and patios is the focus of a deck-building business. Aside from residential clients, there are also opportunities to work on decks for commercial clients such as restaurants or event facilities.
11. Air duct cleaning
Annual salary: $51,390
Industry growth: Annual growth of 6% expected through 2032
Air duct cleaning is the best way to improve indoor air quality. You could help to eliminate allergens, bacteria, mold, and other pollutants in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, and factories in heating and air conditioning ducts.
12. Professional organization services
Annual salary: $43,861
Industry growth: Very active, especially in metropolitan areas
Professional organizers help people reduce clutter and create order out of chaos in their homes and businesses. You might organize a shoe closet or create storage space in a junk-filled garage. Because most organizers are self-employed and set their own rates and services, this industry is not standardized.
13. Septic tank cleaning
Annual salary: $45,610
Industry growth: Average annual growth of 5% – 8% expected through 2032
It may not be the most glamorous job, but septic tank cleaning is crucial for many homeowners. However, it’s an easier job to get into with little educational requirements and on-the-job training that can be completed in a few months.
14. Home security consulting and installation
Annual salary: $50,130
Industry growth: 2% – 4% annual growth expected, with 8,300 projected job openings through 2033
Home security can be a lucrative business venture. You could recommend and install home security systems to keep your client’s property and the people inside their homes safer.
15. Furniture assembly
Annual salary: $34,934
Industry growth: Very active, especially in metropolitan areas
Bookshelves and other home and office furniture are notorious for being difficult and time-consuming to assemble. This service often sees higher demand for businesses near college campuses, senior communities, or military bases.
16. Electrician
Annual salary: $60,240
Industry growth: Average annual growth of 6% expected through 2032
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems. You’ll most likely need an electrician license to perform this work. Apprenticeships and technical schools provide training and help with licensing.
17. Plumbing
Annual salary: $60,090
Industry growth: 2% annual growth expected through 2032
While growth is slow, the plumbing industry will likely have 42,600 openings each year over the next decade to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire from being a plumber.
18. Carpentry
Annual salary: $51,390
Industry growth: Little or no change expected through 2032
The work of a carpenter includes constructing, repairing, and installing wood structures and framework. Your carpentry business idea can be either indoors or outdoors, ranging from building or repairing kitchen cabinets to focusing on restoration.
19. Cleaning service
Annual salary: $29,960
Industry growth: Little or no change expected through 2032
Maids and housecleaners maintain private households or commercial establishments such as hotels, offices or hospitals. You can also establish a niche cleaning business such as window cleaning, carpet cleaning or pressure washing driveways.
20. Historic home restoration
Annual salary: varies by trade
Industry growth: Home remodeling expected 4% annual growth
Historic home restoration focuses on the preservation of older homes, while making them fucntional for modern living. Typically, trades that work on historic homes can command higher salaries because of the complexities of projects.
21. Landscaping and lawn care
Annual salary: $36,160
Industry growth: 3% annual growth expected through 2032
Landscaping and lawn care businesses install and maintain landscapes, prune trees or shrubs, and do other tasks to ensure that vegetation is attractive, orderly, and safe. Although the industry expects average growth, it will see 44,200 new jobs through 2032.
22. Solar panel installation
Annual salary: $45,230
Industry growth: Much faster than average 9% annual growth expected through 2032
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. With more homeowners interested in both saving money and the environment, this is a growing field.
23. Tile or stone setting
Annual salary: $48,340
Industry growth: 5% – 8% annual growth expected through 2032
If you know how to apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops and roof decks, you can easily start a business. Most workers gain experience from working with experienced installers, starting as helpers.
24. Junk removal
Annual salary: $36,442
Industry growth: Very active, especially in metropolitan areas
Junk removal has become a successful business model over the past decade with many potential customers looking to declutter and tidy their living spaces. Startup costs and educational requirements are low.
25. Pest control
Annual salary: $38,310
Industry growth: 3% annual growth expected through 2032
Pest control workers remove insects, rodents, and other pests that infest buildings and surrounding areas. Barriers to entry are low; most workers get their start getting licensed and working alongside experienced workers.
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