The NYC construction industry, a powerful engine of progress, employs over 145,000 workers who collectively earn billions while building a more sustainable and safe city.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, New York City's construction industry employed approximately 145,200 workers, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021 levels driven by infrastructure projects
- The average hourly wage for construction laborers in NYC was $32.45 in 2023, 15% above the national average due to high living costs
- Women represented 10.8% of NYC's construction workforce in 2022, up from 9.2% in 2019, reflecting diversity initiatives
- In 2023, NYC issued 45,200 construction permits, a 7.5% increase from 2022, primarily for residential renovations
- The number of new building permits in Manhattan reached 2,150 in 2023, focused on high-rise offices
- Brooklyn saw 12,400 job filings for construction alterations in 2023, up 9% year-over-year
- In 2023, NYC construction spending reached $52.4 billion, a 8.1% increase from 2022, led by public infrastructure
- Private construction contracts awarded in NYC totaled $28.7 billion in 2023
- NYC construction industry contributed $14.2 billion to local GDP in 2022, 4.8% of total
- In 2023, NYC construction sites reported 1,850 OSHA violations, down 5% from 2022
- Fall protection violations topped NYC construction citations at 420 cases in 2023
- NYC construction fatality rate was 12.4 per 100,000 workers in 2022, below national 13.5
- In 2023, 42% of NYC new constructions incorporated LEED certification targets, up from 35% in 2022
- NYC construction waste diversion rate reached 75% in 2023 via recycling mandates
- Solar installations on NYC construction sites totaled 250 MW capacity by 2023
New York City's construction industry is booming with strong job growth and major investments.
Employment
- In 2022, New York City's construction industry employed approximately 145,200 workers, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021 levels driven by infrastructure projects
- The average hourly wage for construction laborers in NYC was $32.45 in 2023, 15% above the national average due to high living costs
- Women represented 10.8% of NYC's construction workforce in 2022, up from 9.2% in 2019, reflecting diversity initiatives
- Hispanic or Latino workers comprised 52.3% of NYC construction employees in 2021, the largest demographic group
- In Q4 2023, there were 12,450 construction job openings in NYC, a 22% rise from Q4 2022 amid labor shortages
- Unionized construction workers in NYC earned a median annual wage of $85,600 in 2022, compared to $62,000 for non-union
- NYC construction industry added 5,800 net new jobs in 2023, primarily in specialty trade contracting
- Apprenticeship programs in NYC construction trained 4,200 new entrants in 2022, focusing on underrepresented groups
- The construction superintendent role in NYC had an average salary of $128,400 in 2023, with demand up 18%
- Black or African American workers made up 18.7% of NYC construction workforce in 2022
- Overtime hours in NYC construction averaged 8.2 hours per week per worker in 2023, contributing to 12% wage premium
- NYC construction firms reported a 28% turnover rate in 2022, highest among skilled trades like electricians
- In 2023, 3,150 construction workers in NYC were enrolled in OSHA 10-hour safety training programs
- Entry-level carpenter wages in NYC started at $45.20 per hour in 2023 under prevailing wage laws
- NYC construction employment density was 1,760 workers per square mile in 2022, world's highest urban rate
- 7,200 veterans were employed in NYC construction in 2022 through Hire Heroes programs
- Plumber wages in NYC averaged $48.75 hourly in 2023, with 2,100 shortages reported
- NYC construction workforce aged 25-34 grew 9% to 42,500 in 2022
- Ironworkers in NYC earned $52.10 per hour median in 2023
- 1,950 NYC construction jobs were filled by recent immigrants in 2023 via workforce programs
- Electrician employment in NYC construction reached 18,400 in 2022, up 6%
- Operating engineers averaged $49.85 hourly in NYC 2023
- NYC construction unemployment rate was 4.1% in 2023, below national 5.2%
- Sheet metal workers numbered 4,200 in NYC 2022, with 15% growth projected
- Roofer wages hit $41.20 hourly median in NYC 2023
- 2,300 NYC construction firms employed under 10 workers, 68% of total establishments in 2022
- Glaziers in NYC construction totaled 1,800 workers earning $38.90 hourly in 2023
- Painter employment in NYC was 12,100 in 2022
- Drywall installers averaged $42.50 hourly in NYC 2023
- NYC construction management roles grew 11% to 8,500 in 2023
Employment Interpretation
New York's skyline is being built by a well-paid, increasingly diverse army of skilled workers who are in such high demand that the city's greatest construction challenge might just be finding enough of them.
Financial
- In 2023, NYC construction spending reached $52.4 billion, a 8.1% increase from 2022, led by public infrastructure
- Private construction contracts awarded in NYC totaled $28.7 billion in 2023
- NYC construction industry contributed $14.2 billion to local GDP in 2022, 4.8% of total
- Average construction project cost in Manhattan was $450 per sq ft in 2023 for luxury residential
- Public sector construction spending in NYC hit $23.6 billion in FY2023
- Construction loan volume in NYC banks reached $15.8 billion in 2023, up 12%
- Material costs for NYC construction rose 11.2% in 2023, steel up 15%
- NYC prevailing wage rates for laborers averaged $57.20 per hour including benefits in 2023
- Bond financing for NYC infrastructure totaled $4.1 billion in 2023 sales
- Construction backlog in NYC firms was $112 billion at end-2023
- Tax revenue from NYC construction permits was $1.2 billion in FY2023
- Average multifamily development cost in NYC was $385 per sq ft in 2023
- Insurance premiums for NYC construction projects averaged 1.8% of contract value in 2023
- Federal funding via IIJA allocated $7.5 billion for NYC projects through 2023
- NYC construction profit margins for general contractors averaged 3.4% in 2023, down from 4.1%
- Labor costs represented 32% of total NYC construction expenses in 2023
- $2.8 billion in green bonds issued for sustainable NYC builds in 2023
- Office-to-residential conversions cost averaged $250 per sq ft in NYC 2023 pilots
- NYC construction sales tax collections from materials hit $850 million in 2023
- Venture capital in NYC proptech construction startups reached $1.4 billion 2023
- Hotel construction costs in NYC averaged $520 per sq ft in 2023
- $6.2 billion HUD funding for NYC affordable housing construction 2023
- Diesel fuel costs for NYC construction equipment rose 22% to $4.85/gal avg 2023
- NYC M/WBE construction contracts awarded $3.1 billion in FY2023
- Concrete costs per cubic yard in NYC averaged $185 in 2023, up 9%
- $1.9 billion in state capital grants for NYC transit construction 2023
- NYC construction firm revenues totaled $78 billion aggregate in 2022
- Electrical subcontractor bids averaged 18% of total project costs in NYC 2023
- $950 million in philanthropic funding for NYC community construction 2023
- Lumber prices for NYC framing dropped 14% to $450 per 1,000 bf in late 2023
- NYC construction inflation rate was 6.8% in 2023 per Turner Index
Financial Interpretation
While it's simultaneously a gold rush for the city's skyline and a financial tightrope for its builders—where every hard-earned, benefit-loaded dollar is stretched thin by soaring steel and stubborn inflation, yet still somehow manages to pour billions into our foundations, our future, and the city's coffers.
Projects
- In 2023, NYC issued 45,200 construction permits, a 7.5% increase from 2022, primarily for residential renovations
- The number of new building permits in Manhattan reached 2,150 in 2023, focused on high-rise offices
- Brooklyn saw 12,400 job filings for construction alterations in 2023, up 9% year-over-year
- Queens construction permits totaled 14,200 in 2022, with 40% for commercial builds
- Bronx issued 3,800 new foundation permits in 2023 for affordable housing projects
- Staten Island had 1,200 demolition permits in 2022, linked to infrastructure upgrades
- NYC crane permits peaked at 680 active in 2023, highest since 2019 pre-pandemic
- 28,500 sidewalk and roadwork permits were issued citywide in 2023 by DOT
- Hudson Yards Phase 4 received approval for 5.5 million sq ft mixed-use in 2023
- Gowanus Rezoning approved 5,000 new housing units via 1,200 construction filings in 2023
- LaGuardia Airport Terminal B expansion involved 1.3 million work hours in construction phase 2023
- East Side Access MTA project completed 1,200 ft tunneling under NYC in 2023
- 4,200 boiler installation permits issued in NYC 2023 for energy upgrades
- Vertical construction starts in NYC totaled 15.2 million sq ft in Q3 2023
- 920 facade alteration permits in historic districts like Brooklyn Heights in 2023
- Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 began with 18 station construction bids in 2023
- 6,500 plumbing permits for new installs in multi-family buildings NYC 2023
- Gateway Program's Hudson Tunnel project secured 1,500 trackwork permits in 2023
- 2,800 elevator modernizations permitted in NYC high-rises 2023
- Flushing Waterfront rezoning led to 900 residential construction starts 2023
- 1,100 solar panel installation permits on rooftops citywide 2023
- Javits Center North expansion added 1.1 million sq ft construction in 2023
- 3,200 fire alarm system upgrade permits in commercial buildings 2023
- Penn Station redevelopment included 450 structural steel permits 2023
- 750 flood resilience elevation permits post-Ida in coastal areas 2023
- Harlem Meer Stormwater project involved 2,500 linear ft piping installs 2023
- 1,400 ADA accessibility ramp constructions permitted 2023
- Brooklyn Bridge Park pier rebuild used 850 concrete pour permits 2023
- 5,100 HVAC system replacements in schools via SCA 2023
- High Line Phase 4 extension construction spanned 650 linear ft 2023
- 2,200 signage and awning permits for new developments 2023
- Croton Water Filtration Plant upgrades included 1,200 piping permits 2023
Projects Interpretation
While Manhattan is busy building its corporate castles, Brooklyn is meticulously altering its cozy brownstones, Queens is constructing its commerce, the Bronx is laying foundations for affordability, and Staten Island is clearing the way for progress, all of which means New York City is quite literally being rebuilt from the ground up, and sideways.
Safety
- In 2023, NYC construction sites reported 1,850 OSHA violations, down 5% from 2022
- Fall protection violations topped NYC construction citations at 420 cases in 2023
- NYC construction fatality rate was 12.4 per 100,000 workers in 2022, below national 13.5
- 2,450 crane safety inspections conducted by DOB in NYC 2023
- Silica exposure violations in NYC construction numbered 310 in 2023
- Local Law 196 training compliance reached 92% of NYC sites in Q4 2023
- 680 scaffolding incidents investigated in NYC 2023, 15% injury-related
- Heat illness reports in NYC construction summer 2023 totaled 210 cases
- DOB issued 1,120 stop-work orders for safety violations in 2023
- Trench collapse near-misses reported 45 times in NYC underground work 2023
- 3,200 Site Safety Managers certified under LL196 in NYC by end-2023
- Electrical hazard citations hit 290 in NYC construction 2023 inspections
- 1,450 respiratory protection violations noted in DOB audits 2023
- NYC construction lost-time injury rate was 1.8 per 100 workers in 2022
- 520 hoist and elevator safety stops issued in 2023
- Lead abatement compliance violations: 180 cases in NYC renos 2023
- 910 fire safety violations during hot work permits 2023
- DOB's 28,000 site audits in 2023 found 12% critical safety hazards
- Noise complaint-related construction halts: 340 in 2023
- 1,100 Competent Person verifications for excavations in NYC 2023
- Asbestos handling violations: 95 in DOB inspections 2023
- 2,700 hard hat usage citations during routine checks 2023
- Traffic control plan violations at NYC sites: 410 in 2023 DOT reviews
- 150 machinery tip-over incidents prevented via sensors in 2023 pilots
- High-visibility vest compliance 98% post-2023 enforcement
- 640 ladder safety violations cited in multi-story work 2023
- Emergency Action Plan submissions: 4,500 approved for NYC sites 2023
- 210 struck-by object near-misses logged in NYC 2023
Safety Interpretation
While the dip in overall OSHA violations suggests we’re getting better at dotting our bureaucratic i’s, the stubborn persistence of fall protection citations as the top offense reveals we still haven’t quite figured out how to stop gravity from being a total jerk.
Sustainability
- In 2023, 42% of NYC new constructions incorporated LEED certification targets, up from 35% in 2022
- NYC construction waste diversion rate reached 75% in 2023 via recycling mandates
- Solar installations on NYC construction sites totaled 250 MW capacity by 2023
- 68% of NYC public projects used low-carbon concrete in 2023 mixes
- Green roof coverage in new NYC builds added 1.2 million sq ft in 2023
- 1,800 EV charging stations built into new parking structures 2023
- NYC construction embodied carbon reporting mandated for 95% large projects 2023
- Passive House standards applied to 120 NYC residential towers starts 2023
- 55% reduction in idling emissions from construction fleets via 2023 rules
- 3,200 trees planted as part of NYC construction mitigation 2023
- Net-zero energy designs in 28 NYC commercial projects completed 2023
- Rainwater harvesting systems in 650 new builds captured 2.5M gal annually 2023
- 72% of NYC steel used in construction was recycled content in 2023
- Cool pavement pilots in 15 construction zones reduced heat 4°F in 2023
- 1,100 bike parking mandates in new developments exceeded by 20% 2023
- Geothermal systems installed in 45 NYC high-rises foundations 2023
- 82% compliance with NYC low-emission zone construction rules 2023
- Biofiltration stormwater planters built in 320 projects treating 10M gal 2023
- 36 NYC projects achieved WELL Building certification in 2023 constructions
- Recycled aggregate used in 52% concrete pours NYC 2023
- 950 LED lighting retrofits in construction temp facilities 2023 saved 15GWh
- NYC OneNYC 2050 plan integrated into 78% major project bids 2023
- 2.1 million sq ft bird-safe glass in new facades 2023
- 640 native plantings in green infrastructure projects 2023
- Carbon offset purchases by NYC contractors totaled $45M in 2023
- 28% energy model accuracy improvement via BIM in NYC 2023 builds
- 1,500 low-flow fixtures installed reducing water 20% in new hotels 2023
- NYC construction biodiversity credits piloted in 12 sites 2023
- 75% of asphalt mixes used warm-mix tech lowering emissions 12% 2023
- Microgrid integrations in 18 resilient construction projects 2023
- 410 zero-waste construction sites certified Platinum 2023
Sustainability Interpretation
New York City’s 2023 construction stats reveal an industry no longer just hammering away at the old ways, but carefully assembling a metropolis where the skyline grows greener with every recycled beam, low-carbon pour, and solar panel.
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