Nationwide, over a quarter of the construction workforce is foreign-born—and in several major metros, that figure exceeds 50%. As federal immigration enforcement ramps up, these markets in particular could see crews thin out, costs climb, and key projects delayed.
Construction workers remain a crucial component of the American workforce, and contribute significantly to the country's economic development. Using the latest data available, researchers at Construction Coverage identified the U.S. states and metros with the largest shares of employment in the construction industry.
Recent projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggest that construction employment will continue to grow at a rate exceeding the national average over the next decade. These are the fastest-growing jobs in construction.
With total compensation for private-sector workers now averaging over $45 per hour—the fastest rise in costs in more than 15 years—employers are paying more than ever to keep workers on staff.
Multi-family housing plays a crucial role in bolstering housing availability in states with substantial urban populations. Looking at new units authorized by building permits in 2024, researchers identified the states and metros building the most multi-family housing.
Elevated home prices, inadequate homebuilding pace, and wages failing to keep pace with inflation are making it difficult for construction workers to afford to purchase a home in the cities where they work. Our researchers identified the most unaffordbale housing markets for construction workers.
It is estimated that an additional 501,000 construction professionals will be needed in the industry this year, plus an additional 454,000 in 2025 on top of normal hiring. These are the most popular construction jobs in the U.S. right now.
While conditions are challenging for new home buyers everywhere, some parts of the U.S. are more favorable than others. These are the best U.S. metros and states to find a new starter home.
Housing is the largest regular expenditure for most households, so the failure of wages to keep up with housing prices can make housing costs even more expensive in real dollars. To find the locations with the highest home price-to-income ratios, researchers ranked locations by the median home price divided by the median annual household income.
Middle-income buyers are being squeezed out of the market: as of early 2025, households earning around $75,000 annually could afford just 21% of listings—less than half the share available to them before the pandemic. These are the U.S. metros and states that are investing in more affordable housing.
The U.S. is in the midst of a skilled worker shortage that is projected to worsen as an already aging construction workforce reaches retirement. To fill the demand, construction firms will need to recruit the next generation of skilled workers—and one way to attract more qualified workers is by increasing pay.
Nationally, full-time female workers earn $54,044 annually in the construction sector. However, pay varies widely by state, and regional differences in the cost of living affect how far a salary will go in a given location. These are the best-paying states for women in construction.
The median age of a home in the U.S. is now over 40 years old, underscoring the need for both renovation of existing properties and the construction of new ones to meet growing demand. These are the locations with the most newly-built homes.
More than half of all U.S. states have seen rent grow by double-digit percentages. At the metro level, the pace of rent changes can be even more stark. These are the locations with the biggest increases in median rent from 2024 to 2025.
Investing in home improvements varies by location due to factors such as cost of living, local economic conditions, and the housing market. Our researchers ranked U.S. states and metros according to the number of home improvement loans taken out per 1,000 owner-occupied households.
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