Trades work is central to U.S. construction, shaping homes, commercial projects, and heavy civil infrastructure. This page connects spending and production trends to workforce pipelines, including apprenticeships, certified credentialing, and community college outcomes. It also looks at how job openings are expected to change through 2032 and why workplace safety risks still matter. You'll see how leading occupations and injury data reflect real-world challenges for employers and workers.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
U.S. construction is expanding and needs skilled trades, as jobs grow while hiring and injury risks remain high.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact25 stats
01
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
02
Residential construction spending hit $907 billion in 2023, up 5.2% from 2022 according to U.S. Census Bureau Construction Spending report
03
Nonresidential construction expenditures reached $1.1 trillion in U.S. in 2023, reflecting 4.8% YoY growth via Census data
04
Heavy and civil engineering construction generated $200 billion in revenue in 2023 per U.S. Census Bureau economic survey
05
Plumbing services industry revenue totaled $140 billion in the U.S. in 2023, up 6.1% annually from IBISWorld
06
Electrical contractors market size was $220 billion in U.S. 2023, growing 7.3% YoY per IBISWorld analysis
07
HVAC contractors industry earned $152 billion in revenue in 2023, with 5.9% increase reported by IBISWorld
08
Roofing contractors generated $58 billion in U.S. revenue in 2023, up 8.4% from prior year via IBISWorld
09
Painting and wall covering contractors market reached $45 billion in 2023, reflecting 4.2% growth per IBISWorld data
10
Masonry contractors industry revenue stood at $38 billion in U.S. 2023, increasing 3.7% YoY from IBISWorld
11
Drywall contractors earned $32 billion in revenue in 2023, up 5.5% annually according to IBISWorld reports
12
Excavation contractors market size was $65 billion in U.S. 2023, growing 6.8% per IBISWorld statistics
13
Site preparation contractors generated $28 billion in 2023 revenue, with 4.9% YoY rise via IBISWorld
14
Structural steel and precast concrete contractors totaled $55 billion in U.S. 2023, up 7.1% from IBISWorld
15
Construction management services industry reached $120 billion revenue in 2023, increasing 5.4% YoY per IBISWorld
16
Trades industry supported 12 million indirect and induced jobs in U.S. economy in 2023 per Associated Builders and Contractors economic impact study
17
Construction spending on manufacturing facilities surged to $150 billion in 2023, up 22% YoY according to ABC reports
18
Trades wages averaged $32.50per hour in U.S. construction in Q4 2023, 20% above national average per ABC data
19
The skilled trades shortage cost U.S. economy $97 billion annually in lost productivity in 2023 estimates from Build Your Future coalition
20
Commercial construction starts valued at $139 billion in 2023, down 14% but still significant per Dodge Data & Analytics
21
Institutional building construction hit $120 billion in starts value during 2023 via Dodge Momentum Index
22
Single-family housing starts averaged 1.01 million units in 2023, contributing $400 billion in economic activity per NAHB
23
Multifamily construction added $150 billion to U.S. GDP in 2023 according to NAHB Eye on Housing reports
24
Remodeling industry generated $450 billion in spending in 2023, up 2% YoY from Joint Center for Housing Studies
25
Trades exports in construction equipment reached $15 billion in 2023 per U.S. Trade Representative data
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In the Economic Impact category, construction’s outsized role is clear in 2023 when the U.S. sector generated $1.8 trillion in GDP, while strong growth in key trades like plumbing revenue reaching $140 billion up 6.1% and electrical contractors expanding to a $220 billion market up 7.3% shows momentum beyond the overall construction economy.
02 · Category
Education And Training26 stats
01
Annual apprenticeships registered in U.S. construction trades hit 100,000 in 2023, up 10% from 2022 per DOL data
02
NCCER certified craft professionals numbered over 800,000 in trades by end of 2023 via NCCER annual report
03
65% of U.S. construction firms reported difficulty hiring qualified tradespeople in 2023 per NCCER survey of 1,000+ firms
04
Community colleges awarded 250,000 credentials in construction trades in 2022-2023 academic year per NCES data
05
Vocational training enrollment in welding programs grew 15% to 75,000 students in U.S. 2023 per AWS Foundation
06
Electrical apprenticeship completion rate stood at 62% nationally in 2023 according to IEC reports
07
Plumbing-heating-cooling contractors trained 50,000 apprentices in 2023 via PHCC Educational Foundation data
08
ABC chapters delivered 200,000 hours of craft training in 2023, reaching 40,000 trainees per ABC workforce report
09
45% of Gen Z respondents interested in skilled trades careers in 2023 Youth Trades survey by Skilled Trades Crew
10
High school CTE programs in construction trades served 1.2 million students in 2022-23 per ACTE data
11
Union apprenticeship programs graduated 42,000 journeymen in trades in 2023 per DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics
12
Non-union training programs accounted for 70% of new construction craft entrants in 2023 via ABC study
13
Average time to journeyman status in carpentry is 4 years with 8,000 hours OJT per NCCER standards 2023
14
30% increase in women entering plumbing apprenticeships in 2023, reaching 5,000 participants per PHCC data
15
Welding certification exams passed numbered 120,000 in U.S. in 2023 via AWS records
16
HVAC training bootcamps graduated 25,000 technicians in 2023 per NATE certification stats
17
OSHA 10-hour construction training cards issued totaled 2.5 million in 2023 per OSHA outreach data
18
Electrical training alliance programs enrolled 15,000 apprentices in 2023 IBEW/NECA joint report
19
Mason contractors association trained 10,000 in blocklaying techniques in 2023 via MCAA programs
20
Sheet metal workers international training 8,000 apprenticeships active in 2023 SMWIA data
21
Ironworker apprentices numbered 6,500 in U.S. programs in 2023 per IMPACT union stats
22
Roofer training through NRCA certified 12,000 workers in 2023 best practices courses
23
Painting contractors of America issued 20,000 PDCA certifications in 2023 for trades skills
24
Online trades training platforms like Interplay Learning reached 500,000 users in 2023 modules completed
25
Construction management associate degrees awarded 15,000 in 2023 per NCES postsecondary data
26
72% of trades employers offer paid apprenticeships in 2023 per Deloitte skills gap report
Interpretation
Education And Training Interpretation
Across education and training for trades, the sector is seeing strong pipeline growth and certification gains, with annual construction apprenticeships reaching 100,000 in 2023 and welding enrollment up 15% to 75,000 students, yet hiring remains hard as 65% of firms report difficulty finding qualified tradespeople.
03 · Category
Employment Statistics29 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. construction industry employed 8.1 million workers, marking a 2.5% increase from 2022 according to BLS data
02
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
03
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters totaled 468,200 employed in the U.S. in 2023, reflecting a 1.8% growth from prior year via BLS
04
Carpenters employed 835,000 across the U.S. in May 2023, with a 2.2% rise noted in BLS survey data
05
Construction laborers reached 1.5 million jobs in the U.S. in 2023, increasing by 4.1% as per BLS reports
06
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers comprised 404,200 positions in U.S. trades in 2023, up 1.5% YoY from BLS
07
HVAC and refrigeration mechanics held 370,300 jobs in the U.S. in May 2023, growing 3.7% annually per BLS OES
08
Roofers numbered 112,900 in the U.S. workforce in 2023, with a 5.2% employment surge via BLS data
09
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators totaled 425,000 employed in U.S. in 2023, up 2.8% from BLS
10
Painters, construction and maintenance, reached 373,800 jobs in U.S. trades sector in May 2023, increasing 1.9% YoY per BLS
11
Sheet metal workers employed 143,900 across U.S. in 2023, reflecting 2.4% growth according to BLS statistics
12
Brickmasons and blockmasons held 55,300 positions in the U.S. in May 2023, up 1.2% from previous year via BLS
13
Ironworkers numbered 52,600 in U.S. construction trades in 2023, with 3.1% YoY increase per BLS OES
14
Glaziers employed 40,200 in the U.S. in 2023, growing 4.5% annually as reported by BLS
15
Drywall and ceiling tile installers totaled 102,100 jobs in U.S. trades in May 2023, up 2.9% YoY from BLS
16
Tapers numbered 18,500 in U.S. construction workforce in 2023, increasing 1.7% per BLS data
17
Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles held 20,400 positions in U.S. in 2023, up 3.3% via BLS
18
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters totaled 2,900 jobs in U.S. in 2023, up 4.2% per BLS
19
Helpers--carpenters numbered 11,200 in U.S. workforce in 2023, reflecting 3.8% YoY rise via BLS
20
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons held 5,600 positions in 2023, up 2.1% from BLS
21
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters employed 4,100 in U.S. trades in May 2023, growing 1.9% YoY per BLS
22
Helpers--roofers totaled 1,800 jobs in U.S. in 2023, with 5.9% increase according to BLS data
23
Helpers, construction trades, all other, numbered 32,700 in U.S. workforce in 2023, up 3.5% via BLS OES
24
Construction and building inspectors held 142,400 positions in U.S. in May 2023, increasing 2.7% YoY per BLS
25
Fence erectors employed 25,600 across U.S. trades in 2023, reflecting 4.3% growth from BLS statistics
26
Hazardous materials removal workers totaled 47,100 jobs in U.S. in 2023, up 3.2% annually via BLS
27
Highway maintenance workers numbered 152,500 in U.S. construction-related trades in May 2023, with 1.6% rise per BLS
28
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators held 3,900 positions in 2023, growing 2.4% YoY from BLS data
29
Segmental bridge placers with no experience numbered 400 in U.S. trades in 2023, up 6.1% per BLS OES
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Employment in the trades is rising steadily, with U.S. construction at 8.1 million workers in 2023 and key occupations like construction laborers reaching 1.5 million jobs up 4.1% as reflected in these Employment Statistics.
More related reading
04 · Category
Future Projections28 stats
01
Construction output projected to grow 4% annually through 2032, adding 444,000 jobs per BLS 2023-2033 outlook
02
Electrician employment to increase 6% by 2032, 42,500 openings yearly due to retirements BLS projections
03
Plumbers and pipefitters jobs to rise 2% by 2032, 43,300 annual openings projected by BLS
04
Carpenter positions expected to grow 2% through 2032, 76,500 openings per year BLS data
05
Construction laborers projected 4% growth by 2032, 159,000 annual openings via BLS outlook
06
Welders employment to decline 1% by 2032 but 42,600 openings yearly from BLS projections
07
HVAC mechanics projected 6% growth through 2032, 37,700 openings annually per BLS
08
Roofers jobs to surge 5% by 2032, 14,600 annual openings according to BLS forecast
09
Construction equipment operators expected 4% growth, 43,800 openings yearly BLS 2023-33
10
Painters projected 1% growth by 2032, 34,100 openings per year via BLS projections
11
Sheet metal workers to increase 1% through 2032, 15,100 annual openings BLS data
12
Brickmasons projected 1% decline by 2032, but 1,800 openings yearly per BLS
13
Ironworkers employment stable, 3,500 openings annually projected through 2032 BLS
14
Glaziers to grow 4% by 2032, 5,200 annual openings via BLS outlook
15
Drywall installers projected 3% growth, 13,100 openings yearly BLS 2023-2033
16
Skilled trades shortage to reach 3 million workers by 2028 per Build Your Future 2023 forecast
17
Construction spending forecast to hit $2 trillion by 2025 per Dodge Data & Analytics 2024 outlook
18
Green building trades demand to grow 10% annually through 2030 McKinsey sustainability report
19
Modular construction market to reach $160 billion globally by 2030, 8% CAGR Statista projections
20
Data center construction boom to add 500,000 trades jobs by 2030 per JLL report
21
Infrastructure bill to create 1.5 million trades jobs by 2026 per ASCE 2023 update
22
Renewable energy trades (solar/wind installers) to grow 22% by 2032, 3,200 openings BLS
23
Semiconductor fabs construction to require 100,000+ trades by 2027 per SEMI forecast
24
Apprenticeship registrations projected to double to 200,000 by 2030 DOL goal
25
Automation in trades to displace 10% routine tasks but create 20% new skilled roles by 2030 McKinsey
26
Median wage for electricians to reach $65,000by 2030 adjusted for inflation BLS projections
27
EV charging infrastructure to need 50,000 new trades jobs by 2030 per DOE estimates
28
Resilient construction demand post-disasters to grow 5% market by 2035 Deloitte forecast
Interpretation
Future Projections Interpretation
Under future projections for the trades, strong demand is expected to keep hiring steady across most roles, with construction output growing 4% annually through 2032 and annual openings ranging from 42,500 electrician openings to 159,000 construction laborer openings each year.
05 · Category
Safety And Health27 stats
01
Fatal injuries in U.S. construction totaled 1,056 in 2022, rate of 9.6 per 10,000 full-time workers per BLS CFOI
02
Nonfatal injuries in construction reached 150,000 cases with days away in 2022, incidence rate 2.0 per 100 workers via BLS SOII
03
Falls accounted for 38% of construction fatalities in 2022, 401 deaths per BLS data analysis
04
Struck-by incidents caused 20% of construction deaths, 212 cases in 2022 according to BLS CFOI
05
Electrical fatalities in trades numbered 144 in 2022, 14% of construction deaths per BLS reports
06
Caught-in/between events led to 69 construction fatalities in 2022, 7% share via BLS CFOI
07
OSHA citations for fall protection violations totaled 6,500 in construction FY2023, $100M penalties
08
Heat-related illnesses in construction rose 25% to 3,500 cases in 2023 per CDC/NIOSH data
09
Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 28% of construction injury days away, 42,000 cases 2022 BLS SOII
10
Silica exposure violations cited 2,100 times in construction FY2023 by OSHA
11
Ladder-related injuries totaled 81,000 emergency visits annually average 2021-2023 per NEISS data
12
Crane-related fatalities averaged 40 per year 2019-2022 per OSHA IMIS database
13
Respiratory protection violations ranked top 10 in construction, 2,800 citations FY2023 OSHA
14
Scaffolding hazards caused 4,500 injuries yearly per BLS 2022 data
15
Hearing loss claims in construction trades averaged 20,000 annually 2020-2023 NIOSH
16
Trenching collapse deaths totaled 21 in 2022, despite OSHA standards per BLS CFOI
17
65% of construction workers report safety training annually, but gaps persist per CPWR survey 2023
18
Lead exposure incidents in trades renovation hit 5,000 cases 2022 EPA data
19
Fatigue-related errors cause 15-20% of construction incidents per NSC 2023 study
20
PPE compliance rate 85% in construction sites 2023 per Safety+Health magazine audit
21
Asbestos abatement injuries numbered 1,200 in 2022 BLS SOII construction subset
22
Machine guarding violations 1,800 in construction FY2023 OSHA top cited
23
Bloodborne pathogens training required, 500 violations in trades FY2023 OSHA
24
Ergonomic injuries cost construction $4 billion yearly in workers comp 2023 estimates NSC
25
Vehicle backs-over incidents 150 fatalities/year average in construction per CPWR
26
Mental health claims in trades rose 30% post-pandemic to 25,000 cases 2023 MHFA data
27
Fire safety violations in construction 1,200 citations FY2023 OSHA
Interpretation
Safety And Health Interpretation
In the Safety and Health category, U.S. construction saw 1,056 fatal injuries in 2022 and the biggest specific causes were falls at 38% and struck-by events at 20%, showing that preventing high-risk incidents could sharply reduce the most common deaths.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Trades Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/trades-industry-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Trades Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/trades-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Trades Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/trades-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
43 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level