As the sector adds tens of thousands of jobs each month, a closer look at the latest statistics reveals a dynamic construction employment landscape, from steady national growth to regional booms and an evolving workforce.
Key Takeaways
- In May 2024, U.S. construction employment stood at 8,013,000, an increase of 16,000 from April 2024.
- As of December 2023, total construction employment in the U.S. reached 8,013,000 workers.
- Construction sector employed 7,980,000 people in the U.S. as of November 2023.
- In June 2024, construction employment rose by 20,000 to 8,033,000 in the U.S.
- Year-over-year construction employment growth was 1.2% from June 2023 to June 2024.
- Construction added 217,000 jobs over the 12 months ending May 2024.
- Median age of construction workers increased 1.2 years from 2019 to 2023 to 42.5 years.
- 88.2% of construction workers were men in 2023.
- White workers comprised 62.3% of construction employment in 2023.
- Annual mean wage for construction laborers was $45,300 in May 2023.
- Carpenters hourly mean wage: $29.47 in 2023.
- Construction managers annual mean wage: $110,340.
- Construction employment projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, adding 252,400 jobs.
- Construction laborers projected openings: 149,000 annually through 2033.
- Carpenters job growth: 2% from 2023-2033, slower than average.
Construction employment is steadily growing, with job gains across many states and specialties.
Employment Levels
1In May 2024, U.S. construction employment stood at 8,013,000, an increase of 16,000 from April 2024.
Verified2As of December 2023, total construction employment in the U.S. reached 8,013,000 workers.
Verified3Construction sector employed 7,980,000 people in the U.S. as of November 2023.
Verified4In 2022 annual average, U.S. construction employment was 7,530,400.
Directional5California had 927,000 construction workers employed in 2023.
Single source6Texas construction employment totaled 832,400 in May 2024.
Verified7Florida's construction workforce was 543,200 in 2023.
Verified8New York state employed 379,300 in construction in May 2024.
Verified9Nonresidential building construction employment was 912,000 nationally in 2023.
Directional10Heavy and civil engineering construction had 821,000 employees in 2023.
Single source11Specialty trade contractors employed 3,452,000 in the U.S. in 2023.
Verified12Residential building construction employment reached 682,000 in 2023.
Verified13Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors: 1,012,300 employed in 2023.
Verified14Electrical contractors and other wiring installation: 728,900 workers in 2023.
Directional15Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors: 494,200 in 2023.
Single source16U.S. construction employment in metropolitan areas averaged 6,452,000 in 2022.
Verified17Self-employed construction workers numbered 1,012,300 in 2022.
Verified18Union membership in construction was 12.1% of 7.5 million workers in 2023.
Verified19Full-time construction employment averaged 7.2 million in 2023.
Directional20Part-time construction workers: 312,000 in 2023.
Single source21Construction employment in the Northeast region: 1,123,400 in 2023.
Verified22Midwest construction jobs: 1,452,000 in 2023.
Verified23South region construction employment: 3,012,500 in 2023.
Verified24Western U.S. construction workforce: 2,423,100 in 2023.
Directional25Highway, street, and bridge construction employment: 312,400 in 2023.
Single source26Utility system construction: 142,500 workers in 2023.
Verified27Construction employment among women: 1,012,300 in 2022.
Verified28Male construction workers: 6,512,700 in 2022.
Verified29Construction sand and gravel mining employment: 45,200 in 2023.
DirectionalEmployment Levels Interpretation
The construction industry, much like a well-built house, is showing steady growth with a solid national foundation of over 8 million workers, though its regional rooms—like the bustling South and the sun-soaked West—are clearly where the most hammering is happening.
Growth Rates
1In June 2024, construction employment rose by 20,000 to 8,033,000 in the U.S.
Verified2Year-over-year construction employment growth was 1.2% from June 2023 to June 2024.
Verified3Construction added 217,000 jobs over the 12 months ending May 2024.
Verified4Nonresidential construction employment grew 2.1% in 2023.
Directional5Residential construction jobs increased by 1.5% year-over-year in Q1 2024.
Single source6Specialty trade contractors saw 3.2% employment growth from 2022 to 2023.
Verified7U.S. construction employment growth rate averaged 2.4% annually from 2019-2023.
Verified8Texas construction employment grew 4.1% over the year ending May 2024.
Verified9Florida added 28,700 construction jobs year-over-year to May 2024.
Directional10California construction employment declined 0.8% from May 2023 to May 2024.
Single source11Northeast construction growth was 1.7% over the past 12 months to June 2024.
Verified12Midwest construction jobs grew 2.3% year-over-year in 2023.
Verified13South region construction employment increased 3.5% from 2022 to 2023.
Verified14Electrical contractors employment grew 4.2% in 2023.
Directional15Plumbing contractors saw 2.8% growth year-over-year in 2023.
Single source16Heavy civil engineering construction employment rose 1.9% in 2023.
Verified17Construction unemployment rate dropped to 4.0% in June 2024 from 4.2% prior.
Verified18Construction job openings rate was 5.2% in March 2024.
Verified19Over-the-year construction employment gain in metro areas: 1.8% to 2023.
Directional20Construction hires rate: 4.5% in 2023 annual average.
Single source21Separations rate in construction: 3.8% in 2023.
Verified22Quits rate in construction fell to 1.2% in June 2024.
Verified23Layoffs and discharges rate: 1.1% in construction, 2023 avg.
Verified24Construction employment growth in nonunion firms: 2.7% vs 0.9% union in 2023.
Directional25Post-pandemic construction employment recovery: 95% of peak by 2023.
Single source262023 construction payroll employment index rose 2.9% annually.
VerifiedGrowth Rates Interpretation
The construction industry is showing a sturdy, if uneven, pulse, with everyone from electricians to Texas booming, but California dreaming of a better foundation, while the low quit rate suggests workers are, for now, happily cemented in their jobs.
Industry Trends and Projections
1Construction employment projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, adding 252,400 jobs.
Verified2Construction laborers projected openings: 149,000 annually through 2033.
Verified3Carpenters job growth: 2% from 2023-2033, slower than average.
Verified4Electricians projected to grow 6% to 2033, adding 49,200 jobs.
Directional5Plumbers growth projection: 2% from 2023-2033.
Single source6Construction managers: 5% growth projected, 25,500 new jobs.
Verified7Total construction employment forecast: 8.5 million by 2030.
Verified8Nonresidential construction jobs to rise 1.8% annually to 2026.
Verified9Residential construction employment projected peak at 4.2 million in 2025.
Directional10Infrastructure bill to add 500,000 construction jobs by 2026.
Single source11Labor shortage projected: 546,000 unfilled construction jobs by 2024.
Verified12Automation to displace 10% of construction labor by 2030.
Verified13Green construction jobs growth: 8% annually through 2030.
Verified14Modular construction to increase employment by 15% in prefab sector by 2028.
Directional15Post-2025 slowdown in construction employment growth to 1.2% annually.
Single source16Texas construction jobs projected +250,000 by 2030.
Verified17Aging workforce exit: 337,000 construction workers retire by 2031.
Verified18Apprenticeship starts in construction: projected 50,000 annually to 2030.
Verified19Digital tech adoption to boost productivity 20%, reducing labor needs 5% by 2030.
Directional20Semiconductor fabs to add 50,000 construction jobs 2024-2026.
Single source21Data center construction employment surge: +100,000 jobs by 2027.
Verified22Renewable energy construction jobs: 300,000 by 2030.
Verified23Multifamily housing starts to support 1.2 million job-years through 2026.
VerifiedIndustry Trends and Projections Interpretation
While the future of construction offers a promising blueprint with booming sectors like electricians and green projects, the industry must cleverly navigate a tightrope of retiring workers, looming automation, and persistent labor shortages to actually build it.
Wages and Benefits
1Annual mean wage for construction laborers was $45,300 in May 2023.
Verified2Carpenters hourly mean wage: $29.47 in 2023.
Verified3Construction managers annual mean wage: $110,340.
Verified4Electricians mean hourly wage: $32.56 in May 2023.
Directional5Plumbers, pipefitters mean annual wage: $62,970.
Single source6Operating engineers and equipment operators: $28.45 hourly mean.
Verified7Median weekly earnings for construction workers: $1,020 in Q1 2024.
Verified8Construction industry average hourly earnings: $36.12 in June 2024.
Verified9Wage growth in construction: 4.5% over the year to June 2024.
Directional10Top 10% construction laborers earn over $58,000 annually.
Single source11Bottom 10% carpenters wage: less than $18.50/hour.
Verified12Union construction workers average $10.40/hour more than nonunion.
Verified13Employee benefits coverage: 72.3% of construction workers in 2023.
Verified14Health insurance offered: 68.4% in construction private industry.
Directional15Retirement benefits access: 54.2% of construction employees.
Single source16Paid sick leave: 82.1% of construction workers eligible.
Verified17California construction mean wage: $38.45/hour in 2023.
Verified18New York construction wages average $41.23/hour.
Verified19Overtime pay prevalence: 45.3% in construction.
Directional20Construction supervisors annual mean: $85,430.
Single source21Painters, construction and maintenance: $23.18 hourly mean.
Verified22Drywall installers: $27.45/hour mean wage 2023.
Verified23Roofers median wage: $24.87/hour.
Verified24Ironworkers: $32.12 hourly mean.
DirectionalWages and Benefits Interpretation
This data reveals a predictable but hard-earned hierarchy in the dust: while the ones swinging the hammers breathe the most concrete dust, it's the ones holding the blueprints who breathe a little easier when the bills arrive.
Worker Characteristics
1Median age of construction workers increased 1.2 years from 2019 to 2023 to 42.5 years.
Verified288.2% of construction workers were men in 2023.
Verified3White workers comprised 62.3% of construction employment in 2023.
Verified4Hispanic or Latino construction workers: 33.1% of total in 2023.
Directional5Black or African American: 6.2% of construction workforce in 2023.
Single source6Asian construction workers: 2.4% in 2023.
Verified725.3% of construction workers had less than high school diploma in 2023.
Verified8High school graduates: 32.1% in construction occupations, 2023.
Verified9Some college or associate's degree: 25.4% of construction workers.
Directional10Bachelor's degree or higher: 7.2% in construction, 2023.
Single source11Average age of construction laborers: 41.2 years in 2023.
Verified12Carpenters median age: 43.5 years.
Verified13Electricians average age: 44.1 years in 2023.
Verified14Plumbers median age: 45.2 years.
Directional15Operating engineers age median: 42.8 years in 2023.
Single source16Construction managers average age: 47.3 years.
Verified17Foreign-born workers: 28.5% of construction employment in 2023.
Verified18Veterans in construction: 8.7% of workforce in 2023.
Verified19Disabled construction workers: 4.2% in 2023.
Directional20Unionized construction workers average age: 46.2 years vs 41.8 nonunion.
Single source21Share of construction workers aged 55+: 24.3% in 2023.
Verified22Gen Z (18-24) in construction: 12.1% of employment.
Verified23Millennials (25-40): 38.7% of construction workforce.
Verified24Baby boomers (56+): 18.4% still employed in construction 2023.
Directional25Language other than English at home: 41.2% among construction workers.
Single sourceWorker Characteristics Interpretation
The construction industry's workforce is alarmingly gray, male, and undereducated, raising the specter of a looming labor cliff if it fails to attract a younger, more diverse, and better-educated generation to pick up the aging tools.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 2CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 3AGCagc.orgVisit source
- Reference 4NAHBnahb.orgVisit source
- Reference 5FREDfred.stlouisfed.orgVisit source
- Reference 6OXFORDECONOMICSoxfordeconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 7WHITEHOUSEwhitehouse.govVisit source
- Reference 8MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 9DELOITTEwww2.deloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 10CONSTRUCTIONDIVEconstructiondive.comVisit source
- Reference 11DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 12JLLjll.comVisit source
- Reference 13ENERGYenergy.govVisit source