NYC construction spending hit $52.4 billion in 2023, up 8.1% from 2022, while construction employment reached about 145,200 workers in 2022, rising 4.2% as infrastructure work picked up. Behind that growth, worker pay and hiring demographics shifted, permits surged, and safety outcomes moved in unexpected directions, including OSHA violations falling even as fall protection remained the biggest citation category.
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 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 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 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
In 2023, NYC construction surged with higher spending, more permits, and stronger safety and sustainability gains.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment30 stats
01
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
02
The average hourly wage for construction laborers in NYC was $32.45in 2023, 15% above the national average due to high living costs
03
Women represented 10.8% of NYC's construction workforce in 2022, up from 9.2% in 2019, reflecting diversity initiatives
04
Hispanic or Latino workers comprised 52.3% of NYC construction employees in 2021, the largest demographic group
05
In Q4 2023, there were 12,450 construction job openings in NYC, a 22% rise from Q4 2022 amid labor shortages
06
Unionized construction workers in NYC earned a median annual wage of $85,600in 2022, compared to $62,000 for non-union
07
NYC construction industry added 5,800 net new jobs in 2023, primarily in specialty trade contracting
08
Apprenticeship programs in NYC construction trained 4,200 new entrants in 2022, focusing on underrepresented groups
09
The construction superintendent role in NYC had an average salary of $128,400in 2023, with demand up 18%
10
Black or African American workers made up 18.7% of NYC construction workforce in 2022
11
Overtime hours in NYC construction averaged 8.2 hours per week per worker in 2023, contributing to 12% wage premium
12
NYC construction firms reported a 28% turnover rate in 2022, highest among skilled trades like electricians
13
In 2023, 3,150 construction workers in NYC were enrolled in OSHA 10-hour safety training programs
14
Entry-level carpenter wages in NYC started at $45.20per hour in 2023 under prevailing wage laws
15
NYC construction employment density was 1,760 workers per square mile in 2022, world's highest urban rate
16
7,200 veterans were employed in NYC construction in 2022 through Hire Heroes programs
17
Plumber wages in NYC averaged $48.75hourly in 2023, with 2,100 shortages reported
18
NYC construction workforce aged 25-34 grew 9% to 42,500 in 2022
19
Ironworkers in NYC earned $52.10per hour median in 2023
20
1,950 NYC construction jobs were filled by recent immigrants in 2023 via workforce programs
21
Electrician employment in NYC construction reached 18,400 in 2022, up 6%
22
Operating engineers averaged $49.85hourly in NYC 2023
23
NYC construction unemployment rate was 4.1% in 2023, below national 5.2%
24
Sheet metal workers numbered 4,200 in NYC 2022, with 15% growth projected
25
Roofer wages hit $41.20hourly median in NYC 2023
26
2,300 NYC construction firms employed under 10 workers, 68% of total establishments in 2022
27
Glaziers in NYC construction totaled 1,800 workers earning $38.90hourly in 2023
28
Painter employment in NYC was 12,100 in 2022
29
Drywall installers averaged $42.50hourly in NYC 2023
30
NYC construction management roles grew 11% to 8,500 in 2023
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
In 2022, NYC’s construction employment grew to about 145,200 workers, a 4.2% rise from 2021, and by Q4 2023 job openings reached 12,450, up 22% from a year earlier, underscoring strong demand for construction labor within the Employment category.
02 · Category
Financial30 stats
01
In 2023, NYC construction spending reached $52.4 billion, a 8.1% increase from 2022, led by public infrastructure
02
Private construction contracts awarded in NYC totaled $28.7 billion in 2023
03
NYC construction industry contributed $14.2 billion to local GDP in 2022, 4.8% of total
04
Average construction project cost in Manhattan was $450per sq ft in 2023 for luxury residential
05
Public sector construction spending in NYC hit $23.6 billion in FY2023
06
Construction loan volume in NYC banks reached $15.8 billion in 2023, up 12%
07
Material costs for NYC construction rose 11.2% in 2023, steel up 15%
08
NYC prevailing wage rates for laborers averaged $57.20per hour including benefits in 2023
09
Bond financing for NYC infrastructure totaled $4.1 billion in 2023 sales
10
Construction backlog in NYC firms was $112 billion at end-2023
11
Tax revenue from NYC construction permits was $1.2 billion in FY2023
12
Average multifamily development cost in NYC was $385per sq ft in 2023
13
Insurance premiums for NYC construction projects averaged 1.8% of contract value in 2023
14
Federal funding via IIJA allocated $7.5 billion for NYC projects through 2023
15
NYC construction profit margins for general contractors averaged 3.4% in 2023, down from 4.1%
16
Labor costs represented 32% of total NYC construction expenses in 2023
17
$2.8 billion in green bonds issued for sustainable NYC builds in 2023
18
Office-to-residential conversions cost averaged $250per sq ft in NYC 2023 pilots
19
NYC construction sales tax collections from materials hit $850 million in 2023
20
Venture capital in NYC proptech construction startups reached $1.4 billion 2023
21
Hotel construction costs in NYC averaged $520per sq ft in 2023
22
$6.2 billion HUD funding for NYC affordable housing construction 2023
23
Diesel fuel costs for NYC construction equipment rose 22% to $4.85/gal avg 2023
24
NYC M/WBE construction contracts awarded $3.1 billion in FY2023
25
Concrete costs per cubic yard in NYC averaged $185in 2023, up 9%
26
$1.9 billion in state capital grants for NYC transit construction 2023
27
NYC construction firm revenues totaled $78 billion aggregate in 2022
28
Electrical subcontractor bids averaged 18% of total project costs in NYC 2023
29
$950 million in philanthropic funding for NYC community construction 2023
30
Lumber prices for NYC framing dropped 14% to $450 per 1,000 bf in late 2023
Interpretation
Financial Interpretation
From a financial perspective, NYC’s construction momentum is clear as total 2023 spending climbed to $52.4 billion, an 8.1% rise, while construction loan volume in local banks jumped 12% to $15.8 billion.
03 · Category
Projects30 stats
01
In 2023, NYC issued 45,200 construction permits, a 7.5% increase from 2022, primarily for residential renovations
02
The number of new building permits in Manhattan reached 2,150 in 2023, focused on high-rise offices
03
Brooklyn saw 12,400 job filings for construction alterations in 2023, up 9% year-over-year
04
Queens construction permits totaled 14,200 in 2022, with 40% for commercial builds
05
Bronx issued 3,800 new foundation permits in 2023 for affordable housing projects
06
Staten Island had 1,200 demolition permits in 2022, linked to infrastructure upgrades
07
NYC crane permits peaked at 680 active in 2023, highest since 2019 pre-pandemic
08
28,500 sidewalk and roadwork permits were issued citywide in 2023 by DOT
09
Hudson Yards Phase 4 received approval for 5.5 million sq ft mixed-use in 2023
10
Gowanus Rezoning approved 5,000 new housing units via 1,200 construction filings in 2023
11
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B expansion involved 1.3 million work hours in construction phase 2023
12
East Side Access MTA project completed 1,200 ft tunneling under NYC in 2023
13
4,200 boiler installation permits issued in NYC 2023 for energy upgrades
14
Vertical construction starts in NYC totaled 15.2 million sq ft in Q3 2023
15
920 facade alteration permits in historic districts like Brooklyn Heights in 2023
16
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 began with 18 station construction bids in 2023
17
6,500 plumbing permits for new installs in multi-family buildings NYC 2023
18
Gateway Program's Hudson Tunnel project secured 1,500 trackwork permits in 2023
19
2,800 elevator modernizations permitted in NYC high-rises 2023
20
Flushing Waterfront rezoning led to 900 residential construction starts 2023
21
1,100 solar panel installation permits on rooftops citywide 2023
22
Javits Center North expansion added 1.1 million sq ft construction in 2023
23
3,200 fire alarm system upgrade permits in commercial buildings 2023
24
Penn Station redevelopment included 450 structural steel permits 2023
25
750 flood resilience elevation permits post-Ida in coastal areas 2023
26
Harlem Meer Stormwater project involved 2,500 linear ft piping installs 2023
27
1,400 ADA accessibility ramp constructions permitted 2023
28
Brooklyn Bridge Park pier rebuild used 850 concrete pour permits 2023
29
5,100 HVAC system replacements in schools via SCA 2023
30
High Line Phase 4 extension construction spanned 650 linear ft 2023
Interpretation
Projects Interpretation
For the projects category, NYC ramped up construction activity in 2023 with 45,200 permits, a 7.5% rise from 2022, showing that residential renovation and new building momentum is spreading across boroughs like Manhattan’s 2,150 high rise office permits and Brooklyn’s 12,400 alteration job filings.
More related reading
04 · Category
Safety28 stats
01
In 2023, NYC construction sites reported 1,850 OSHA violations, down 5% from 2022
02
Fall protection violations topped NYC construction citations at 420 cases in 2023
03
NYC construction fatality rate was 12.4 per 100,000 workers in 2022, below national 13.5
04
2,450 crane safety inspections conducted by DOB in NYC 2023
05
Silica exposure violations in NYC construction numbered 310 in 2023
06
Local Law 196 training compliance reached 92% of NYC sites in Q4 2023
07
680 scaffolding incidents investigated in NYC 2023, 15% injury-related
08
Heat illness reports in NYC construction summer 2023 totaled 210 cases
09
DOB issued 1,120 stop-work orders for safety violations in 2023
10
Trench collapse near-misses reported 45 times in NYC underground work 2023
11
3,200 Site Safety Managers certified under LL196 in NYC by end-2023
12
Electrical hazard citations hit 290 in NYC construction 2023 inspections
13
1,450 respiratory protection violations noted in DOB audits 2023
14
NYC construction lost-time injury rate was 1.8 per 100 workers in 2022
15
520 hoist and elevator safety stops issued in 2023
16
Lead abatement compliance violations: 180 cases in NYC renos 2023
17
910 fire safety violations during hot work permits 2023
18
DOB's 28,000 site audits in 2023 found 12% critical safety hazards
19
Noise complaint-related construction halts: 340 in 2023
20
1,100 Competent Person verifications for excavations in NYC 2023
21
Asbestos handling violations: 95 in DOB inspections 2023
22
2,700 hard hat usage citations during routine checks 2023
23
Traffic control plan violations at NYC sites: 410 in 2023 DOT reviews
24
150 machinery tip-over incidents prevented via sensors in 2023 pilots
25
High-visibility vest compliance 98% post-2023 enforcement
26
640 ladder safety violations cited in multi-story work 2023
27
Emergency Action Plan submissions: 4,500 approved for NYC sites 2023
28
210 struck-by object near-misses logged in NYC 2023
Interpretation
Safety Interpretation
In 2023, NYC construction safety showed measurable improvement as OSHA violations fell to 1,850 cases, even while fall protection remained a leading concern with 420 citations and training compliance under Local Law 196 reached 92% by Q4.
05 · Category
Sustainability30 stats
01
In 2023, 42% of NYC new constructions incorporated LEED certification targets, up from 35% in 2022
02
NYC construction waste diversion rate reached 75% in 2023 via recycling mandates
03
Solar installations on NYC construction sites totaled 250 MW capacity by 2023
04
68% of NYC public projects used low-carbon concrete in 2023 mixes
05
Green roof coverage in new NYC builds added 1.2 million sq ft in 2023
06
1,800 EV charging stations built into new parking structures 2023
07
NYC construction embodied carbon reporting mandated for 95% large projects 2023
08
Passive House standards applied to 120 NYC residential towers starts 2023
09
55% reduction in idling emissions from construction fleets via 2023 rules
10
3,200 trees planted as part of NYC construction mitigation 2023
11
Net-zero energy designs in 28 NYC commercial projects completed 2023
12
Rainwater harvesting systems in 650 new builds captured 2.5M gal annually 2023
13
72% of NYC steel used in construction was recycled content in 2023
14
Cool pavement pilots in 15 construction zones reduced heat 4°F in 2023
15
1,100 bike parking mandates in new developments exceeded by 20% 2023
16
Geothermal systems installed in 45 NYC high-rises foundations 2023
17
82% compliance with NYC low-emission zone construction rules 2023
18
Biofiltration stormwater planters built in 320 projects treating 10M gal 2023
19
36 NYC projects achieved WELL Building certification in 2023 constructions
20
Recycled aggregate used in 52% concrete pours NYC 2023
21
950 LED lighting retrofits in construction temp facilities 2023 saved 15GWh
22
NYC OneNYC 2050 plan integrated into 78% major project bids 2023
23
2.1 million sq ft bird-safe glass in new facades 2023
24
640 native plantings in green infrastructure projects 2023
25
Carbon offset purchases by NYC contractors totaled $45M in 2023
26
28% energy model accuracy improvement via BIM in NYC 2023 builds
27
1,500 low-flow fixtures installed reducing water 20% in new hotels 2023
28
NYC construction biodiversity credits piloted in 12 sites 2023
29
75% of asphalt mixes used warm-mix tech lowering emissions 12% 2023
30
Microgrid integrations in 18 resilient construction projects 2023
Interpretation
Sustainability Interpretation
Sustainability in NYC construction is accelerating fast, with LEED-targeted projects rising from 35% in 2022 to 42% in 2023 and waste diversion hitting 75% the same year.
report visual · Key figures
NYC construction activity: labor, jobs, spending, and safety signals
A rising labor market is paired with ongoing workforce demand and improving (but still active) safety oversight.
4.2%
In 2022, New York City's construction industry employed approximately 145,200 workers, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021
22%
In Q4 2023, there were 12,450 construction job openings in NYC, a 22% rise from Q4 2022 amid labor shortages
5,800
NYC construction industry added 5,800 net new jobs in 2023, primarily in specialty trade contracting
8.1%
In 2023, NYC construction spending reached $52.4 billion, a 8.1% increase from 2022, led by public infrastructure
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Nyc Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nyc-construction-industry-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Nyc Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nyc-construction-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Nyc Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nyc-construction-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
63 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level