Women hold just over 11 percent of construction jobs. Their presence shrinks to single digits in CEO and board roles across major firms. Retention and promotion figures show that entry level gains have yet to translate into lasting shifts in leadership.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, women comprised only 11.1% of the total construction workforce in the US building industry, highlighting a persistent gender gap.
- 45% of construction firms reported improved hiring after DEI initiatives in 2023.
- Women held only 7.2% of CEO positions in top construction firms in 2023.
- 78% of building firms launched DEI training, leading to 12% retention gain in 2023.
- In 2023, Latinx workers made up 30.1% of the construction workforce, the largest minority group.
Building industry statistics show persistent underrepresentation of diverse groups, highlighting an urgent need for inclusive action.
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01 · Category
Gender Statistics19 stats
01
In 2023, women comprised only 11.1% of the total construction workforce in the US building industry, highlighting a persistent gender gap.
02
Female representation in skilled trades within the building industry stood at 4.3% in 2022, according to industry surveys.
03
Only 6.5% of construction craftworkers were women in 2023, per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
04
In the architecture and engineering segment of building, women made up 15.2% of professionals in 2022.
05
Women held 10.9% of construction manager positions in the US in 2023.
06
The gender pay gap in construction averaged 23.4% in 2022, with women earning $0.766 per dollar men earned.
07
In heavy and civil engineering construction, women represented 9.8% of the workforce in 2023.
08
Female enrollment in construction-related apprenticeships was 12.1% in 2022.
09
Women in building inspection roles accounted for 18.7% in 2023 BLS data.
10
Only 3.2% of operating engineers and heavy equipment operators in construction were women in 2022.
11
In 2023, women in construction superintendents roles were 5.4%.
12
Gender diversity in BIM specialists in building: 22.1% female in 2022.
13
Women estimators in construction: 13.7% in 2023 AGC data.
14
Female safety managers: 16.8% in building industry 2022.
15
Women project coordinators: 28.4% in 2023.
16
In roofing contractors, women were 8.2% of workforce 2022 NRCA.
17
Electrical construction women: 7.9% in 2023 NECA.
18
HVAC technicians women: 2.1% in building 2022 ACCA.
19
Women in sustainable building design: 32.5% 2023 USGBC.
Interpretation
Gender Statistics Interpretation
If this is the industry's idea of building a diverse foundation, the blueprint is still desperately missing some critical female-shaped pieces.
02 · Category
Hiring, Retention, and Advancement20 stats
01
45% of construction firms reported improved hiring after DEI initiatives in 2023.
02
Retention rate for women in construction was 72% after 3 years vs 85% for men in 2022.
03
28% increase in minority apprentices hired post-DEI training in 2023 ABC report.
04
Turnover among underrepresented minorities in building was 22.4% in 2022.
05
62% of firms with DEI programs saw better retention of diverse talent in 2023.
06
Promotion rates for women in construction: 14.2% vs 21.5% for men in 2022.
07
Hiring of Latinx workers increased 15% in firms with inclusive recruiting in 2023.
08
Mentorship programs boosted female retention by 18% in building firms 2022.
09
35% of diverse hires left within first year without equity training, 2023 data.
10
Advancement to supervisor for minorities: 8.9% in construction 2022.
11
Apprenticeship completion for women: 68% vs 82% men 2023.
12
Diverse talent pipelines grew 33% with HBCU partnerships 2022.
13
Retention after promotion for minorities: 79% in 2023 firms.
14
Inclusive hiring tech adopted by 29% firms, +20% diverse hires 2022.
15
Women advancement to PM: 11.4% rate 2023.
16
Exit interviews show inclusion as top retention factor 52% 2022.
17
Latinx retention improved 16% with language support 2023.
18
Mentee promotion rates doubled in DEI mentorship 2022.
19
Early career diverse retention: 65% at 5 years 2023.
20
Referral hiring boosted diversity by 25% 2022 programs.
Interpretation
Hiring, Retention, and Advancement Interpretation
While DEI initiatives are clearly making construction a more welcoming place to hire from, the industry still has a long way to go before it can call itself a truly equitable place to build a career, as the data shows we're better at getting diverse talent in the door than at ensuring they have the support and opportunity to thrive once they're inside.
03 · Category
Leadership and Representation20 stats
01
Women held only 7.2% of CEO positions in top construction firms in 2023.
02
Minorities occupied 12.4% of executive roles in building companies in 2022.
03
In architecture firms serving building industry, 28.6% of principals were women in 2023.
04
Black executives in construction firms were 3.1% in 2022 ENR surveys.
05
Only 4.8% of construction firm board seats were held by women in 2023.
06
Latinx leaders comprised 9.2% of senior management in building in 2022.
07
Female VPs in ENR top 400 contractors were 6.7% in 2023.
08
Minority ownership of construction firms was 14.3% in 2022.
09
Women-led engineering firms in building sector: 11.5% in 2023 ACEC data.
10
Diverse leadership teams in construction outperformed by 19% in profitability per 2022 study.
11
Women C-suite in ENR 100: 8.9% 2023.
12
Minority board chairs: 2.7% in construction firms 2022.
13
Female partners in A&E firms: 19.3% 2023 AIA.
14
Latinx CEOs: 7.1% in mid-size builders 2022.
15
Diverse ownership in DBE certified firms: 26.4% 2023 DOT.
16
Women presidents AGC chapters: 11.2% 2022.
17
Black VPs operations: 2.9% ENR top firms 2023.
18
Female owners NAHB local: 14.6% 2022.
19
Minority GC presidents: 10.8% 2023.
20
Women in equity partnerships engineering: 12.7% 2022.
Interpretation
Leadership and Representation Interpretation
If this industry’s leadership were a house, its foundation of diversity would be condemned for being dangerously uneven, which is a shame because, ironically, the data shows that a more equitable structure would make the whole place far more profitable.
More related reading
04 · Category
Programs, Initiatives, and Outcomes22 stats
01
78% of building firms launched DEI training, leading to 12% retention gain in 2023.
02
DEI programs correlated with 25% more innovative projects in construction 2022.
03
41% of firms reported cost savings from inclusive supplier diversity in 2023.
04
Employee resource groups in building industry improved satisfaction by 30% in 2022.
05
Inclusive cultures reduced accidents by 17% in diverse teams, 2023 OSHA-linked study.
06
55% of construction projects with DEI metrics met budgets on time in 2022.
07
Supplier diversity spend reached 15.2% in top builders in 2023.
08
DEI certification adopted by 23% of firms, boosting bids won by 14% in 2022.
09
Bias training reduced complaints by 28% in building companies 2023.
10
67% of workers felt more included post-DEI initiatives in 2022 surveys.
11
Community outreach programs increased diverse applicant pools by 40% in 2023.
12
ROI on DEI investments averaged 2.5x in construction firms 2022.
13
Pay equity audits closed gaps by 9% in 2023 firms.
14
DEI scorecards used in 37% projects, +15% performance 2022.
15
Inclusive procurement saved 12% costs average 2023.
16
ERG participation up 45% post-launch in building 2022.
17
Microaggression training reached 61% workforce, complaints -34% 2023.
18
Diverse teams 22% more productive per hour 2022 study.
19
Veteran inclusion initiatives hired 18% more minorities 2023.
20
Accessibility training improved inclusion scores 27% 2022.
21
DEI benchmarking tools adopted by 44% top firms 2023.
22
Community investment ROI: 3.1x in talent attraction 2022.
Interpretation
Programs, Initiatives, and Outcomes Interpretation
The data makes it clear: investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just the right thing to do; it's a concrete strategy that builds safer, smarter, more profitable, and frankly, better-run companies.
05 · Category
Racial and Ethnic Diversity19 stats
01
In 2023, Latinx workers made up 30.1% of the construction workforce, the largest minority group.
02
Black or African American workers represented 6.7% of the building industry workforce in 2023.
03
Asian workers comprised 2.3% of construction employees in the US in 2022.
04
Hispanic or Latino workers held 34.2% of craft positions in building construction in 2023.
05
Native American workers were 1.1% of the total construction labor force in 2022.
06
Multiracial workers accounted for 2.4% in the building industry in 2023 surveys.
07
Black women specifically represented just 1.2% of the construction workforce in 2022.
08
In nonresidential building construction, White workers were 58.3% of the workforce in 2023.
09
Asian Pacific Islanders made up 1.8% of skilled trades in building in 2022.
10
Latinx underrepresentation in leadership was at 8.5% versus 30% in workforce in 2023.
11
Black workers in supervisory roles: 4.2% in construction 2023.
12
Asian representation in engineering for building: 12.4% 2022 NSPE.
13
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.4% of construction workforce 2023.
14
Two or more races in craft labor: 3.1% 2022.
15
Latinx in non-union construction: 38.7% vs 22% union 2023.
16
Black craftworkers: 7.8% in residential building 2022 NAHB.
17
White non-Hispanic: 52.6% in heavy construction 2023.
18
AAPI in project management: 5.6% 2022 PMI.
19
Indigenous workers in green building: 1.5% 2023.
Interpretation
Racial and Ethnic Diversity Interpretation
While the construction industry has built a workforce where over a third are Latinx, particularly in craft roles, the industry's leadership structure remains overwhelmingly white, revealing a concrete ceiling that proves diversity in the field doesn't equate to equity in the office.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Building Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-building-industry-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Building Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-building-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Building Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-building-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
27 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level