GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Construction Industry Statistics

Construction industry faces skills gap, aging workforce, and safety training challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The construction industry accounts for approximately 7% of the global GDP

Statistic 2

The construction workforce in the US is projected to grow by 12% from 2021 to 2031

Statistic 3

The use of temporary staffing in construction increased by 8% in 2022

Statistic 4

Construction industry is projected to grow by 11% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations

Statistic 5

About 12% of construction companies are actively pursuing green certifications, aligning with sustainability goals

Statistic 6

Construction industry safety training completion rates are around 85%

Statistic 7

The cost of OSHA-related safety violations averages around $10,000 per incident for construction companies

Statistic 8

80% of construction companies believe that safety training correlates with fewer accidents

Statistic 9

Construction firms that invest in employee training see a 20% reduction in workplace accidents

Statistic 10

Construction firms with robust safety cultures see 60% fewer reportable accidents

Statistic 11

58% of construction work barriers are due to insufficient workforce training, according to industry surveys

Statistic 12

The use of virtual reality for training in construction has grown by 25% over the past two years, enhancing safety preparedness

Statistic 13

65% of construction firms believe automation is necessary for long-term growth

Statistic 14

About 18% of construction companies utilize drones for site surveying, aiding in workforce planning and safety

Statistic 15

Women make up about 10% of construction labor force

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The average age of workers in the construction industry is over 42 years

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Approximately 15% of construction workers are self-employed

Statistic 18

The average construction project management workforce experience is around 8 years

Statistic 19

About 25% of construction workers are aged 55 and older, indicating an aging workforce

Statistic 20

The use of diversity and inclusion initiatives in construction increased by 20% in the past three years

Statistic 21

The median wage for construction managers was approximately $97,180 in 2022

Statistic 22

Construction workers with union membership earn approximately 15-20% more than non-union workers

Statistic 23

The proportion of women in construction supervisory roles increased by 12% over the last five years

Statistic 24

45% of construction firms have implemented diversity training programs, with reported improvements in team collaboration

Statistic 25

The percentage of workers in construction who plan to retire within the next 10 years is approximately 25%, highlighting a looming skills gap

Statistic 26

60% of construction companies have difficulty achieving workplace gender diversity goals, despite initiatives

Statistic 27

Approximately 70% of construction firms report difficulties in recruiting skilled workers

Statistic 28

The turnover rate in construction can be as high as 30% annually

Statistic 29

Construction workers earn about 20% more than workers in other industries with similar education levels

Statistic 30

Apprenticeship programs in construction increase retention rates by up to 50%

Statistic 31

Construction companies report that lack of qualified labor causes project delays in 45% of cases

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50% of construction firms have implemented or plan to implement HR technology tools

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Nearly 60% of construction firms provide health benefits to their employees

Statistic 34

The average annual turnover cost for construction companies is estimated at $15,000 per employee

Statistic 35

Construction firms experience a 5-6% increase in productivity after investing in HR training programs

Statistic 36

40% of construction companies report difficulty in maintaining a skilled labor pipeline

Statistic 37

30% of construction firms have adopted flexible work arrangements

Statistic 38

Only about 15% of HR managers in construction report having a formal employee wellness program

Statistic 39

Construction companies with a dedicated HR team report 32% higher employee retention

Statistic 40

Under 10% of construction firms participate in mentorship or career development programs, but those that do see a 25% increase in employee satisfaction

Statistic 41

Construction firms report that 75% of their workforce would consider training opportunities if available

Statistic 42

On average, construction firms spend about 2.5% of project costs on training and HR development

Statistic 43

The share of remote or hybrid work options in construction is still less than 5%, but increasing

Statistic 44

The average time from hiring to project start for construction workers is around 4 weeks, impacting project timelines

Statistic 45

Approximately 25% of construction companies lack formal onboarding programs for new hires, leading to longer ramp-up times

Statistic 46

55% of construction firms rate employee morale as a critical factor for productivity

Statistic 47

The average duration of employment in the construction industry is around 6 years, indicating high job turnover

Statistic 48

Construction industry HR budgets on average represent 1.8% of total project costs

Statistic 49

35% of construction companies report experiencing high absenteeism rates, impacting project schedules

Statistic 50

Construction companies spend an average of $8,000 annually per employee on recruitment and onboarding expenses

Statistic 51

Over 50% of HR professionals in construction believe that succession planning is either lacking or insufficient

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Key Highlights

The construction industry accounts for approximately 7% of the global GDP
The construction workforce in the US is projected to grow by 12% from 2021 to 2031
Approximately 70% of construction firms report difficulties in recruiting skilled workers
Women make up about 10% of construction labor force
The average age of workers in the construction industry is over 42 years
The turnover rate in construction can be as high as 30% annually
Construction workers earn about 20% more than workers in other industries with similar education levels
Approximately 15% of construction workers are self-employed
Apprenticeship programs in construction increase retention rates by up to 50%
Construction companies report that lack of qualified labor causes project delays in 45% of cases
The use of temporary staffing in construction increased by 8% in 2022
65% of construction firms believe automation is necessary for long-term growth
The average construction project management workforce experience is around 8 years

With the construction industry fueling over 7% of the global GDP and facing an urgent skills crisis, it’s clear that innovative HR strategies are more crucial than ever to build a stronger, safer, and more diverse workforce.

Industry Growth and Market Trends

The construction industry accounts for approximately 7% of the global GDP
The construction workforce in the US is projected to grow by 12% from 2021 to 2031
The use of temporary staffing in construction increased by 8% in 2022
Construction industry is projected to grow by 11% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations
About 12% of construction companies are actively pursuing green certifications, aligning with sustainability goals

Industry Growth and Market Trends Interpretation

With construction poised to outpace the overall job market and integrate greener practices, the industry is rapidly transforming into both a powerhouse of global GDP and a battleground for sustainable workforce growth—highlighting that building tomorrow's infrastructure is as much about innovation as it is about bricks and mortar.

Safety, Training, and Safety Culture

Construction industry safety training completion rates are around 85%
The cost of OSHA-related safety violations averages around $10,000 per incident for construction companies
80% of construction companies believe that safety training correlates with fewer accidents
Construction firms that invest in employee training see a 20% reduction in workplace accidents
Construction firms with robust safety cultures see 60% fewer reportable accidents
58% of construction work barriers are due to insufficient workforce training, according to industry surveys
The use of virtual reality for training in construction has grown by 25% over the past two years, enhancing safety preparedness

Safety, Training, and Safety Culture Interpretation

While 85% of construction workers complete safety training—boosted further by a 25% rise in virtual reality programs—gaps remain that cost companies an average of $10,000 per OSHA violation, underscoring that investing in comprehensive safety culture and training isn't just smart—it's essential for reducing accidents by up to 60%.

Technology Adoption and Innovation

65% of construction firms believe automation is necessary for long-term growth
About 18% of construction companies utilize drones for site surveying, aiding in workforce planning and safety

Technology Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

With 65% of construction firms embracing automation for sustainable growth and 18% deploying drones to enhance site safety and planning, it’s clear the industry is building a future where technology is the blueprint for progress rather than an optional add-on.

Workforce Demographics and Diversity

Women make up about 10% of construction labor force
The average age of workers in the construction industry is over 42 years
Approximately 15% of construction workers are self-employed
The average construction project management workforce experience is around 8 years
About 25% of construction workers are aged 55 and older, indicating an aging workforce
The use of diversity and inclusion initiatives in construction increased by 20% in the past three years
The median wage for construction managers was approximately $97,180 in 2022
Construction workers with union membership earn approximately 15-20% more than non-union workers
The proportion of women in construction supervisory roles increased by 12% over the last five years
45% of construction firms have implemented diversity training programs, with reported improvements in team collaboration
The percentage of workers in construction who plan to retire within the next 10 years is approximately 25%, highlighting a looming skills gap
60% of construction companies have difficulty achieving workplace gender diversity goals, despite initiatives

Workforce Demographics and Diversity Interpretation

While the construction industry is gradually building a more diverse and experienced workforce—highlighted by rising female leadership and inclusion efforts—it faces the stark reality of an aging workforce, a looming skills gap as a quarter plan to retire soon, and persistent challenges in achieving gender diversity despite increased initiatives.

Workforce Management and Productivity

Approximately 70% of construction firms report difficulties in recruiting skilled workers
The turnover rate in construction can be as high as 30% annually
Construction workers earn about 20% more than workers in other industries with similar education levels
Apprenticeship programs in construction increase retention rates by up to 50%
Construction companies report that lack of qualified labor causes project delays in 45% of cases
50% of construction firms have implemented or plan to implement HR technology tools
Nearly 60% of construction firms provide health benefits to their employees
The average annual turnover cost for construction companies is estimated at $15,000 per employee
Construction firms experience a 5-6% increase in productivity after investing in HR training programs
40% of construction companies report difficulty in maintaining a skilled labor pipeline
30% of construction firms have adopted flexible work arrangements
Only about 15% of HR managers in construction report having a formal employee wellness program
Construction companies with a dedicated HR team report 32% higher employee retention
Under 10% of construction firms participate in mentorship or career development programs, but those that do see a 25% increase in employee satisfaction
Construction firms report that 75% of their workforce would consider training opportunities if available
On average, construction firms spend about 2.5% of project costs on training and HR development
The share of remote or hybrid work options in construction is still less than 5%, but increasing
The average time from hiring to project start for construction workers is around 4 weeks, impacting project timelines
Approximately 25% of construction companies lack formal onboarding programs for new hires, leading to longer ramp-up times
55% of construction firms rate employee morale as a critical factor for productivity
The average duration of employment in the construction industry is around 6 years, indicating high job turnover
Construction industry HR budgets on average represent 1.8% of total project costs
35% of construction companies report experiencing high absenteeism rates, impacting project schedules
Construction companies spend an average of $8,000 annually per employee on recruitment and onboarding expenses
Over 50% of HR professionals in construction believe that succession planning is either lacking or insufficient

Workforce Management and Productivity Interpretation

With a 70% struggle to find skilled workers and a staggering 30% yearly turnover, the construction industry is caught in a costly cycle where higher wages and limited talent pipelines demand smarter HR strategies, yet only a fraction embrace mentorship, wellness, or flexible work—revealing that building more than just structures requires investing in human foundations.