Posts and research reports covering construction industry employment and wages in the U.S.
Construction has long been a male-dominated field. And while there is still a long way to go to achieve proportional representation, the share of female employment in construction has been increasing in recent years. These are the states with the most female construction workers.
To attract and retain workers, many employers are raising wages, providing a favorable outlook for carpenters—with some locations offering more lucrative prospects than others. These are the best-paying states and metros for carpenters.
Demand for electricians will grow nearly 3X faster than the overall job growth rate in the coming years, as more of the nation's energy infrastructure transitions to renewable sources. These are the best-paying U.S. states and metros for electricians.
Nationally, plumbers earn about 30% more than the typical worker—but more localized data shows a highly regional industry. We ranked U.S. states and metros according to the median annual wage for plumbers, adjusted for the cost of living.
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.
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.
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.
Despite rising material costs, a tight labor market, and stubborn inflation, construction workers’ wages are climbing faster than most industries—a 15% pay boost in just two years, more than double the increase across all occupations. These are the best-paying metros and states for construction workers in 2025.
Union membership in the U.S. has declined sharply over the past several decades. However, union participation remains strong in certain parts of the country. These are the cities with the highest union membership rates.
The construction industry has experienced a period of heightened activity over the past several years, and researchers set out to find the best-paying construction occupations. They analyzed the most common jobs using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those occupations were ranked according to their median hourly wage.
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