Forget the stereotypes of who might pick up a hammer, as today's home improvement workforce is a surprisingly diverse, multi-generational tapestry where over half of retail employees are women, nearly a third are Hispanic or Latino, and skilled veteran talent mixes with a growing wave of Gen Z employees.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 28% of home improvement industry workers were Hispanic or Latino
- The home improvement sector employed 1.2 million retail workers in 2022, with 52% female representation
- Average age of home improvement retail employees was 38.4 years in 2021
- 33% recruitment success rate for skilled trades in home improvement in 2023
- 65% of home improvement firms used online job boards for hiring in 2022
- Time-to-hire for home improvement retail roles averaged 28 days in 2023
- 30 hours average training for new home improvement retail hires in 2023
- 85% of contractors provided safety training annually in 2022
- $1,500 average spend per employee on training in home improvement in 2023
- 28% voluntary turnover rate in home improvement retail in 2023
- 52% of contractors reported retention challenges in 2022
- Average tenure for home improvement workers was 4.2 years in 2023
- Average compensation for home improvement retail associates was $18.50/hour in 2023
- 12% average bonus payout in home improvement firms in 2022
- Health insurance covered 85% of premiums for full-time workers in 2023
Home improvement HR focuses on diverse recruitment, training, and retention amid challenges.
Compensation
- Average compensation for home improvement retail associates was $18.50/hour in 2023
- 12% average bonus payout in home improvement firms in 2022
- Health insurance covered 85% of premiums for full-time workers in 2023
- 401(k) match averaged 4% in home improvement retail in 2022
- PTO averaged 15 days/year for non-managerial staff in 2023
- Overtime pay complied with FLSA for 92% of hourly workers in 2022
- Stock options offered to 30% of corporate HR in home improvement chains in 2023
- 7.5% salary increase for skilled trades in 2022
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year for 65% of employees in 2023
- Commission structures averaged 5% of sales in retail in 2022
- Wellness stipends averaged $500/employee in 2023
- 55% offered childcare benefits in large firms in 2022
- Median total comp for managers was $85,000 in 2023
- Pay equity gap narrowed to 2.5% gender in 2022
- 68% satisfaction with benefits packages in 2023
Compensation Interpretation
While the home improvement industry is hammering out a more competitive benefits package with solid 401(k) matches and premium coverage, the real renovation is the narrowing pay gap and growing perks like tuition reimbursement, proving they're finally building a workplace as sturdy as the kitchens they sell.
Demographics
- In 2023, 28% of home improvement industry workers were Hispanic or Latino
- The home improvement sector employed 1.2 million retail workers in 2022, with 52% female representation
- Average age of home improvement retail employees was 38.4 years in 2021
- 15% of home improvement contractors were veterans in 2022
- Black or African American workers made up 12% of the home improvement workforce in 2023
- 62% of home improvement industry employees held high school diplomas or less in 2022
- Women comprised 22% of skilled trades in home improvement in 2023
- Millennials (ages 25-40) represented 45% of home improvement retail staff in 2022
- 8% of home improvement workers were immigrants in 2021
- Home improvement sector had 35% Gen Z employees under 25 in 2023
- 55% of home improvement managers were over 50 years old in 2022
- Asian workers accounted for 6% in home improvement retail in 2023
- 40% of home improvement workforce lived in suburban areas in 2021
- Disability rate among home improvement workers was 4.2% in 2022
- 25% of home improvement employees were part-time in 2023
- 72% of home improvement hires in 2022 required no college degree
- Rural workers made up 18% of home improvement industry in 2021
- LGBTQ+ identification was 7% among home improvement retail staff in 2023
- 50% of home improvement supervisors had 10+ years experience in 2022
- Union membership was 14% in home improvement construction trades in 2023
Demographics Interpretation
The home improvement industry is a remarkably diverse and experienced mosaic of the American workforce, proving that building a better home doesn't require a college degree, but is powered by a savvy mix of seasoned Gen X managers, millennial retail energy, strong Hispanic and veteran representation, and a growing number of women and Gen Zers who are clearly done asking for help and are just doing it themselves.
Recruitment
- 33% recruitment success rate for skilled trades in home improvement in 2023
- 65% of home improvement firms used online job boards for hiring in 2022
- Time-to-hire for home improvement retail roles averaged 28 days in 2023
- 42% of home improvement jobs filled via employee referrals in 2021
- 75% of contractors struggled with skilled labor recruitment in 2022
- Social media sourced 22% of home improvement hires in 2023
- 18% increase in apprenticeship programs for recruitment in 2022
- 55% of home improvement retailers used AI in recruitment screening in 2023
- Cost per hire in home improvement averaged $4,200 in 2022
- 60% of hires lacked prior industry experience in home improvement in 2023
- 48% of firms offered signing bonuses for recruitment in 2022
- Diversity hiring goals met by 35% of home improvement companies in 2023
- 70% used temp agencies for peak season recruitment in 2021
- Applicant tracking systems adopted by 82% of large home improvement chains in 2023
- 25% recruitment from vocational schools in 2022
- Female recruitment up 15% for trade roles in 2023
- 40% of job postings targeted veterans in 2022
- Campus recruiting yielded 12% of entry-level hires in 2023
- 67% satisfaction with recruitment processes in home improvement retail
Recruitment Interpretation
Despite the industry's embrace of AI, aggressive bonuses, and every modern hiring channel, the painfully low success rate and high cost per hire suggest we're still mostly just throwing high-tech darts in the dark hoping to hit a qualified candidate who actually shows up.
Retention
- 28% voluntary turnover rate in home improvement retail in 2023
- 52% of contractors reported retention challenges in 2022
- Average tenure for home improvement workers was 4.2 years in 2023
- Engagement scores averaged 68% in home improvement firms in 2022
- 35% retention improvement via flexible scheduling in 2023
- Exit interviews showed 42% left for better pay in 2022
- 75% of top performers stayed with recognition programs in 2023
- Burnout cited by 29% in home improvement turnover in 2022
- Retention bonuses retained 60% of seasonal workers in 2023
- 22% reduction in turnover after wellness programs in 2022
- Career pathing improved retention by 18% in 2023
- 48% of millennials cited growth opportunities for staying in 2022
- Remote work options retained 25% more admins in 2023
- Feedback surveys predicted 80% of at-risk turnover in 2022
- Diversity initiatives boosted retention by 15% in 2023
Retention Interpretation
While home improvement retailers are hammered by high turnover and burnout, the blueprint for retention is clear: competitive pay, flexible schedules, and genuine career growth keep the best workers from walking out the door.
Training
- 30 hours average training for new home improvement retail hires in 2023
- 85% of contractors provided safety training annually in 2022
- $1,500 average spend per employee on training in home improvement in 2023
- 62% used e-learning for skill development in 2022
- Leadership training covered 45% of managers in 2023
- OSHA compliance training reached 95% of workforce in 2021
- 20% increase in digital skills training post-2022
- Apprenticeship completion rate was 78% in home improvement trades in 2023
- 55% of employees received customer service training quarterly
- Certification programs boosted skills for 40% of workers in 2022
- Mentorship programs in 65% of home improvement firms in 2023
- Soft skills training prioritized by 72% of retailers in 2022
- VR training adopted by 18% for safety simulations in 2023
- 12-month average for full trade certification training in 2021
- Cross-training implemented in 50% of stores for flexibility in 2023
- 88% training ROI measured via performance metrics in 2022
- Language training for 15% of multilingual workforce in 2023
Training Interpretation
While the industry wisely invests in training from OSHA to e-learning, the real measure of success is not just that 88% track ROI, but that 95% of workers go home safely because of it.
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