Forget everything you think you know about job security and economic impact, because the trades industry is booming: in 2023, the U.S. construction sector alone employed 8.1 million workers, added over a trillion dollars to the economy, and saw nearly every specialty—from electricians to roofers—grow its workforce, signaling a powerful and sustained national demand for skilled hands.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the U.S. construction industry employed 8.1 million workers, marking a 2.5% increase from 2022 according to BLS data
- Electricians numbered 671,800 in the U.S. workforce in May 2023, up 3.4% year-over-year per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters totaled 468,200 employed in the U.S. in 2023, reflecting a 1.8% growth from prior year via BLS
- The U.S. construction sector contributed $1.8 trillion to GDP in 2023, representing 7.6% of total GDP per U.S. Census Bureau data
- Residential construction spending hit $907 billion in 2023, up 5.2% from 2022 according to U.S. Census Bureau Construction Spending report
- Nonresidential construction expenditures reached $1.1 trillion in U.S. in 2023, reflecting 4.8% YoY growth via Census data
- Annual apprenticeships registered in U.S. construction trades hit 100,000 in 2023, up 10% from 2022 per DOL data
- NCCER certified craft professionals numbered over 800,000 in trades by end of 2023 via NCCER annual report
- 65% of U.S. construction firms reported difficulty hiring qualified tradespeople in 2023 per NCCER survey of 1,000+ firms
- Fatal injuries in U.S. construction totaled 1,056 in 2022, rate of 9.6 per 10,000 full-time workers per BLS CFOI
- Nonfatal injuries in construction reached 150,000 cases with days away in 2022, incidence rate 2.0 per 100 workers via BLS SOII
- Falls accounted for 38% of construction fatalities in 2022, 401 deaths per BLS data analysis
- Construction output projected to grow 4% annually through 2032, adding 444,000 jobs per BLS 2023-2033 outlook
- Electrician employment to increase 6% by 2032, 42,500 openings yearly due to retirements BLS projections
- Plumbers and pipefitters jobs to rise 2% by 2032, 43,300 annual openings projected by BLS
Construction industry employment grew strongly in 2023 with expanding wages and investment.
Economic Impact
- The U.S. construction sector contributed $1.8 trillion to GDP in 2023, representing 7.6% of total GDP per U.S. Census Bureau data
- Residential construction spending hit $907 billion in 2023, up 5.2% from 2022 according to U.S. Census Bureau Construction Spending report
- Nonresidential construction expenditures reached $1.1 trillion in U.S. in 2023, reflecting 4.8% YoY growth via Census data
- Heavy and civil engineering construction generated $200 billion in revenue in 2023 per U.S. Census Bureau economic survey
- Plumbing services industry revenue totaled $140 billion in the U.S. in 2023, up 6.1% annually from IBISWorld
- Electrical contractors market size was $220 billion in U.S. 2023, growing 7.3% YoY per IBISWorld analysis
- HVAC contractors industry earned $152 billion in revenue in 2023, with 5.9% increase reported by IBISWorld
- Roofing contractors generated $58 billion in U.S. revenue in 2023, up 8.4% from prior year via IBISWorld
- Painting and wall covering contractors market reached $45 billion in 2023, reflecting 4.2% growth per IBISWorld data
- Masonry contractors industry revenue stood at $38 billion in U.S. 2023, increasing 3.7% YoY from IBISWorld
- Drywall contractors earned $32 billion in revenue in 2023, up 5.5% annually according to IBISWorld reports
- Excavation contractors market size was $65 billion in U.S. 2023, growing 6.8% per IBISWorld statistics
- Site preparation contractors generated $28 billion in 2023 revenue, with 4.9% YoY rise via IBISWorld
- Structural steel and precast concrete contractors totaled $55 billion in U.S. 2023, up 7.1% from IBISWorld
- Construction management services industry reached $120 billion revenue in 2023, increasing 5.4% YoY per IBISWorld
- Trades industry supported 12 million indirect and induced jobs in U.S. economy in 2023 per Associated Builders and Contractors economic impact study
- Construction spending on manufacturing facilities surged to $150 billion in 2023, up 22% YoY according to ABC reports
- Trades wages averaged $32.50 per hour in U.S. construction in Q4 2023, 20% above national average per ABC data
- The skilled trades shortage cost U.S. economy $97 billion annually in lost productivity in 2023 estimates from Build Your Future coalition
- Commercial construction starts valued at $139 billion in 2023, down 14% but still significant per Dodge Data & Analytics
- Institutional building construction hit $120 billion in starts value during 2023 via Dodge Momentum Index
- Single-family housing starts averaged 1.01 million units in 2023, contributing $400 billion in economic activity per NAHB
- Multifamily construction added $150 billion to U.S. GDP in 2023 according to NAHB Eye on Housing reports
- Remodeling industry generated $450 billion in spending in 2023, up 2% YoY from Joint Center for Housing Studies
- Trades exports in construction equipment reached $15 billion in 2023 per U.S. Trade Representative data
Economic Impact Interpretation
The foundation of the American economy is quite literally built, wired, plumbed, and painted by a trades industry that, while facing a costly labor shortage, still managed to construct, renovate, and engineer over $2.5 trillion in economic activity last year, proving that the real "infrastructure week" is every single week.
Education and Training
- Annual apprenticeships registered in U.S. construction trades hit 100,000 in 2023, up 10% from 2022 per DOL data
- NCCER certified craft professionals numbered over 800,000 in trades by end of 2023 via NCCER annual report
- 65% of U.S. construction firms reported difficulty hiring qualified tradespeople in 2023 per NCCER survey of 1,000+ firms
- Community colleges awarded 250,000 credentials in construction trades in 2022-2023 academic year per NCES data
- Vocational training enrollment in welding programs grew 15% to 75,000 students in U.S. 2023 per AWS Foundation
- Electrical apprenticeship completion rate stood at 62% nationally in 2023 according to IEC reports
- Plumbing-heating-cooling contractors trained 50,000 apprentices in 2023 via PHCC Educational Foundation data
- ABC chapters delivered 200,000 hours of craft training in 2023, reaching 40,000 trainees per ABC workforce report
- 45% of Gen Z respondents interested in skilled trades careers in 2023 Youth Trades survey by Skilled Trades Crew
- High school CTE programs in construction trades served 1.2 million students in 2022-23 per ACTE data
- Union apprenticeship programs graduated 42,000 journeymen in trades in 2023 per DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Non-union training programs accounted for 70% of new construction craft entrants in 2023 via ABC study
- Average time to journeyman status in carpentry is 4 years with 8,000 hours OJT per NCCER standards 2023
- 30% increase in women entering plumbing apprenticeships in 2023, reaching 5,000 participants per PHCC data
- Welding certification exams passed numbered 120,000 in U.S. in 2023 via AWS records
- HVAC training bootcamps graduated 25,000 technicians in 2023 per NATE certification stats
- OSHA 10-hour construction training cards issued totaled 2.5 million in 2023 per OSHA outreach data
- Electrical training alliance programs enrolled 15,000 apprentices in 2023 IBEW/NECA joint report
- Mason contractors association trained 10,000 in blocklaying techniques in 2023 via MCAA programs
- Sheet metal workers international training 8,000 apprenticeships active in 2023 SMWIA data
- Ironworker apprentices numbered 6,500 in U.S. programs in 2023 per IMPACT union stats
- Roofer training through NRCA certified 12,000 workers in 2023 best practices courses
- Painting contractors of America issued 20,000 PDCA certifications in 2023 for trades skills
- Online trades training platforms like Interplay Learning reached 500,000 users in 2023 modules completed
- Construction management associate degrees awarded 15,000 in 2023 per NCES postsecondary data
- 72% of trades employers offer paid apprenticeships in 2023 per Deloitte skills gap report
Education and Training Interpretation
While the industry is finally seeing a promising surge of new interest and training—with apprentice registrations hitting six figures and hundreds of thousands of credentials being earned—the frenetic pace of upskilling still can’t outrun the glaring reality that 65% of firms are desperately looking for qualified hands they cannot find.
Employment Statistics
- In 2023, the U.S. construction industry employed 8.1 million workers, marking a 2.5% increase from 2022 according to BLS data
- Electricians numbered 671,800 in the U.S. workforce in May 2023, up 3.4% year-over-year per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters totaled 468,200 employed in the U.S. in 2023, reflecting a 1.8% growth from prior year via BLS
- Carpenters employed 835,000 across the U.S. in May 2023, with a 2.2% rise noted in BLS survey data
- Construction laborers reached 1.5 million jobs in the U.S. in 2023, increasing by 4.1% as per BLS reports
- Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers comprised 404,200 positions in U.S. trades in 2023, up 1.5% YoY from BLS
- HVAC and refrigeration mechanics held 370,300 jobs in the U.S. in May 2023, growing 3.7% annually per BLS OES
- Roofers numbered 112,900 in the U.S. workforce in 2023, with a 5.2% employment surge via BLS data
- Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators totaled 425,000 employed in U.S. in 2023, up 2.8% from BLS
- Painters, construction and maintenance, reached 373,800 jobs in U.S. trades sector in May 2023, increasing 1.9% YoY per BLS
- Sheet metal workers employed 143,900 across U.S. in 2023, reflecting 2.4% growth according to BLS statistics
- Brickmasons and blockmasons held 55,300 positions in the U.S. in May 2023, up 1.2% from previous year via BLS
- Ironworkers numbered 52,600 in U.S. construction trades in 2023, with 3.1% YoY increase per BLS OES
- Glaziers employed 40,200 in the U.S. in 2023, growing 4.5% annually as reported by BLS
- Drywall and ceiling tile installers totaled 102,100 jobs in U.S. trades in May 2023, up 2.9% YoY from BLS
- Tapers numbered 18,500 in U.S. construction workforce in 2023, increasing 1.7% per BLS data
- Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles held 20,400 positions in U.S. in 2023, up 3.3% via BLS
- Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters totaled 2,900 jobs in U.S. in 2023, up 4.2% per BLS
- Helpers--carpenters numbered 11,200 in U.S. workforce in 2023, reflecting 3.8% YoY rise via BLS
- Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons held 5,600 positions in 2023, up 2.1% from BLS
- Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters employed 4,100 in U.S. trades in May 2023, growing 1.9% YoY per BLS
- Helpers--roofers totaled 1,800 jobs in U.S. in 2023, with 5.9% increase according to BLS data
- Helpers, construction trades, all other, numbered 32,700 in U.S. workforce in 2023, up 3.5% via BLS OES
- Construction and building inspectors held 142,400 positions in U.S. in May 2023, increasing 2.7% YoY per BLS
- Fence erectors employed 25,600 across U.S. trades in 2023, reflecting 4.3% growth from BLS statistics
- Hazardous materials removal workers totaled 47,100 jobs in U.S. in 2023, up 3.2% annually via BLS
- Highway maintenance workers numbered 152,500 in U.S. construction-related trades in May 2023, with 1.6% rise per BLS
- Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators held 3,900 positions in 2023, growing 2.4% YoY from BLS data
- Segmental bridge placers with no experience numbered 400 in U.S. trades in 2023, up 6.1% per BLS OES
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While it’s impressive that every corner of the trades industry grew in 2023, the fact that helpers for roofers saw the highest percentage increase tells you everything you need to know about how eager we are to get someone else to do the hard part up on that hot, steep roof.
Future Projections
- Construction output projected to grow 4% annually through 2032, adding 444,000 jobs per BLS 2023-2033 outlook
- Electrician employment to increase 6% by 2032, 42,500 openings yearly due to retirements BLS projections
- Plumbers and pipefitters jobs to rise 2% by 2032, 43,300 annual openings projected by BLS
- Carpenter positions expected to grow 2% through 2032, 76,500 openings per year BLS data
- Construction laborers projected 4% growth by 2032, 159,000 annual openings via BLS outlook
- Welders employment to decline 1% by 2032 but 42,600 openings yearly from BLS projections
- HVAC mechanics projected 6% growth through 2032, 37,700 openings annually per BLS
- Roofers jobs to surge 5% by 2032, 14,600 annual openings according to BLS forecast
- Construction equipment operators expected 4% growth, 43,800 openings yearly BLS 2023-33
- Painters projected 1% growth by 2032, 34,100 openings per year via BLS projections
- Sheet metal workers to increase 1% through 2032, 15,100 annual openings BLS data
- Brickmasons projected 1% decline by 2032, but 1,800 openings yearly per BLS
- Ironworkers employment stable, 3,500 openings annually projected through 2032 BLS
- Glaziers to grow 4% by 2032, 5,200 annual openings via BLS outlook
- Drywall installers projected 3% growth, 13,100 openings yearly BLS 2023-2033
- Skilled trades shortage to reach 3 million workers by 2028 per Build Your Future 2023 forecast
- Construction spending forecast to hit $2 trillion by 2025 per Dodge Data & Analytics 2024 outlook
- Green building trades demand to grow 10% annually through 2030 McKinsey sustainability report
- Modular construction market to reach $160 billion globally by 2030, 8% CAGR Statista projections
- Data center construction boom to add 500,000 trades jobs by 2030 per JLL report
- Infrastructure bill to create 1.5 million trades jobs by 2026 per ASCE 2023 update
- Renewable energy trades (solar/wind installers) to grow 22% by 2032, 3,200 openings BLS
- Semiconductor fabs construction to require 100,000+ trades by 2027 per SEMI forecast
- Apprenticeship registrations projected to double to 200,000 by 2030 DOL goal
- Automation in trades to displace 10% routine tasks but create 20% new skilled roles by 2030 McKinsey
- Median wage for electricians to reach $65,000 by 2030 adjusted for inflation BLS projections
- EV charging infrastructure to need 50,000 new trades jobs by 2030 per DOE estimates
- Resilient construction demand post-disasters to grow 5% market by 2035 Deloitte forecast
Future Projections Interpretation
While the projections promise a roaring future of wire-pulling, pipe-fitting, and hammer-swinging, the industry must first solve the glaring math problem of how to fill a million openings with a generation that was largely told not to get its hands dirty.
Safety and Health
- Fatal injuries in U.S. construction totaled 1,056 in 2022, rate of 9.6 per 10,000 full-time workers per BLS CFOI
- Nonfatal injuries in construction reached 150,000 cases with days away in 2022, incidence rate 2.0 per 100 workers via BLS SOII
- Falls accounted for 38% of construction fatalities in 2022, 401 deaths per BLS data analysis
- Struck-by incidents caused 20% of construction deaths, 212 cases in 2022 according to BLS CFOI
- Electrical fatalities in trades numbered 144 in 2022, 14% of construction deaths per BLS reports
- Caught-in/between events led to 69 construction fatalities in 2022, 7% share via BLS CFOI
- OSHA citations for fall protection violations totaled 6,500 in construction FY2023, $100M penalties
- Heat-related illnesses in construction rose 25% to 3,500 cases in 2023 per CDC/NIOSH data
- Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 28% of construction injury days away, 42,000 cases 2022 BLS SOII
- Silica exposure violations cited 2,100 times in construction FY2023 by OSHA
- Ladder-related injuries totaled 81,000 emergency visits annually average 2021-2023 per NEISS data
- Crane-related fatalities averaged 40 per year 2019-2022 per OSHA IMIS database
- Respiratory protection violations ranked top 10 in construction, 2,800 citations FY2023 OSHA
- Scaffolding hazards caused 4,500 injuries yearly per BLS 2022 data
- Hearing loss claims in construction trades averaged 20,000 annually 2020-2023 NIOSH
- Trenching collapse deaths totaled 21 in 2022, despite OSHA standards per BLS CFOI
- 65% of construction workers report safety training annually, but gaps persist per CPWR survey 2023
- Lead exposure incidents in trades renovation hit 5,000 cases 2022 EPA data
- Fatigue-related errors cause 15-20% of construction incidents per NSC 2023 study
- PPE compliance rate 85% in construction sites 2023 per Safety+Health magazine audit
- Asbestos abatement injuries numbered 1,200 in 2022 BLS SOII construction subset
- Machine guarding violations 1,800 in construction FY2023 OSHA top cited
- Bloodborne pathogens training required, 500 violations in trades FY2023 OSHA
- Ergonomic injuries cost construction $4 billion yearly in workers comp 2023 estimates NSC
- Vehicle backs-over incidents 150 fatalities/year average in construction per CPWR
- Mental health claims in trades rose 30% post-pandemic to 25,000 cases 2023 MHFA data
- Fire safety violations in construction 1,200 citations FY2023 OSHA
Safety and Health Interpretation
These grim statistics paint a clear and chilling picture: while a construction worker's most visible enemy might be gravity, their daily reality is a relentless gauntlet of preventable dangers, from silent toxins and crushing machinery to overlooked trenches and their own exhausted minds, proving that a hard hat alone is tragically insufficient armor.
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