Posts and research reports covering construction worker wages in the U.S.
The U.S. construction market is a foundational pillar of the broader economy. But exactly how large is the construction industry and how fast is it…
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.
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.
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.
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.
High levels of inflation beginning in 2021 have, in many cases, more than offset the wage growth routinely touted as a positive of the COVID-era economy. And while wage growth is below-average nationally, construction workers in certain parts of the country have fared better. Researchers calculated the inflation-adjusted change in mean construction worker earnings from 2018 to 2023, then ranked locations accordingly.
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