GITNUXREPORT 2026

Wa Construction Industry Statistics

Washington's robust and growing construction sector faces labor shortages despite strong wages.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Highway construction contracts in Washington exceeded $7.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 2

Number of building permits issued statewide: 112,450 in 2023.

Statistic 3

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA saw 25,300 housing starts in 2023.

Statistic 4

WSDOT awarded 450+ highway projects totaling $4.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 5

Multifamily units permitted: 32,100 in Washington 2023.

Statistic 6

Data center construction projects in WA: 12 active in 2023, 2.1M sq ft.

Statistic 7

School construction bonds funded 180 projects worth $3.5 billion since 2020.

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Renewable energy projects under construction: 15 wind/solar farms, 1.2 GW capacity.

Statistic 9

Hospital expansions: 8 major projects, $2.9 billion total value in 2023.

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Single-family home completions: 28,450 units in 2023 statewide.

Statistic 11

Light rail extensions: Sound Transit added 10 miles, $3.7 billion cost.

Statistic 12

Warehouse/distribution centers: 4.5M sq ft permitted in 2023.

Statistic 13

Bridge replacements: 45 completed under state program in 2023.

Statistic 14

Office building vacancy-driven renos: 1.2M sq ft in Seattle 2023.

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Airport terminal upgrades: SEA added 750k sq ft.

Statistic 16

Water/sewer infrastructure: $1.1 billion in federal-funded projects.

Statistic 17

Retail construction: 15 new centers, 900k sq ft total 2023.

Statistic 18

Total value of active construction projects: $112 billion as of 2024.

Statistic 19

Washington's construction industry contributed $28.4 billion to GDP in 2022, or 7.2% of state total.

Statistic 20

Total construction spending in Washington reached $62.3 billion in 2023, up 9.1% from 2022.

Statistic 21

Residential construction permits issued in Washington totaled 48,200 units in 2023, valued at $18.7 billion.

Statistic 22

Non-residential construction contracts awarded in Washington hit $15.9 billion in 2022.

Statistic 23

Property tax revenue from new construction in Washington was $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 24

Construction multipliers show every $1 million invested generates $2.8 million in economic activity in WA.

Statistic 25

Inflation in construction materials cost Washington firms an extra $4.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 26

State sales tax from construction purchases totaled $890 million in 2023.

Statistic 27

Heavy/civil engineering projects contributed $9.2 billion to WA economy in 2023.

Statistic 28

Small businesses (under 20 employees) made up 82% of WA construction firms, generating 35% of revenue.

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Construction backlog in Washington stood at $45.6 billion as of Q1 2024.

Statistic 30

Bond measures approved for construction totaled $12.4 billion in WA elections 2022-2023.

Statistic 31

Export-related construction (ports/airports) added $2.3 billion to GDP in 2023.

Statistic 32

Cost per square foot for commercial builds in Seattle averaged $285 in 2023.

Statistic 33

Insurance premiums for construction in WA rose 11% to $1.8 billion in 2023.

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WA construction industry recorded 4.2 incidents per 100 workers in 2022.

Statistic 35

Fatalities in construction: 28 in Washington 2023, down 12% from 2022.

Statistic 36

OSHA citations issued to WA construction firms: 1,250 in FY2023.

Statistic 37

Fall protection violations: 45% of total construction citations in 2023.

Statistic 38

Lost-time injury rate: 1.8 per 200,000 hours worked in 2022.

Statistic 39

Crane incidents: 3 reportable in WA 2023, all non-fatal.

Statistic 40

Silica exposure violations: 210 citations, $1.2M fines in 2023.

Statistic 41

98% of WA construction firms compliant with prevailing wage laws in 2023 audits.

Statistic 42

Trenching collapse incidents: 5 in 2022, zero fatalities due to shoring.

Statistic 43

Heat illness claims: 145 in construction during 2023 summer.

Statistic 44

Electrical safety training reached 92% of workforce in 2023.

Statistic 45

Permit compliance rate: 96.5% for structural builds in 2023.

Statistic 46

Lead abatement projects: 320 inspected, 15 violations.

Statistic 47

Ergonomic injury claims down 18% to 420 in construction 2023.

Statistic 48

Fire safety code violations: 89 in multi-family projects 2023.

Statistic 49

72% of WA construction sites passed random drug testing in 2023.

Statistic 50

Scaffolding incidents: 22 non-fatal injuries reported 2023.

Statistic 51

Asbestos removal certifications: 1,450 active in construction 2023.

Statistic 52

Noise-induced hearing loss claims: 56 in construction 2022.

Statistic 53

LEED-certified buildings in WA reached 1,250 by end of 2023.

Statistic 54

35% of new WA construction incorporated solar panels in 2023.

Statistic 55

Recycled materials usage: 42 tons per $1M project average in 2023.

Statistic 56

Energy-efficient windows in 68% of residential builds 2023.

Statistic 57

Net-zero energy projects: 22 completed in WA 2023.

Statistic 58

Water conservation features in 78% of commercial projects 2023.

Statistic 59

EV charging stations mandated in 55% of new parking structures.

Statistic 60

Timber use from sustainable forests: 1.2M cubic meters in 2023 builds.

Statistic 61

Green roofs installed: 450,000 sq ft on WA buildings 2023.

Statistic 62

Low-VOC materials required in 92% of public projects 2023.

Statistic 63

Carbon emissions from construction down 14% since 2019 baseline.

Statistic 64

Passive house standards met by 18 projects in 2023.

Statistic 65

Rainwater harvesting systems: 320 installed in new developments.

Statistic 66

Modular green construction: 15% of total volume in 2023.

Statistic 67

Biodiversity credits from construction sites: 2,500 acres preserved.

Statistic 68

Geothermal heating in 12 public buildings completed 2023.

Statistic 69

Waste diversion rate: 75% from landfills in construction debris.

Statistic 70

Cool roofs reflective index >0.65 in 60% urban projects.

Statistic 71

Native plant landscaping in 85% highway projects 2023.

Statistic 72

In 2023, Washington State's construction sector employed 178,450 full-time workers, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022, with residential construction accounting for 42% of jobs.

Statistic 73

As of Q4 2023, the average hourly wage for construction laborers in Washington was $32.47, 28% above the national average, due to high demand in urban areas like Seattle.

Statistic 74

Women represented 12.3% of the Washington construction workforce in 2022, up from 10.1% in 2018, with initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.

Statistic 75

Hispanic or Latino workers comprised 28.7% of Washington's construction employees in 2023, the highest among all industries in the state.

Statistic 76

In 2022, there were 15,200 apprentices enrolled in Washington construction trade programs, a 15% rise from 2021.

Statistic 77

Construction unemployment rate in Washington dropped to 3.8% in 2023, compared to the national rate of 4.5%.

Statistic 78

Over 45% of Washington construction firms reported labor shortages as their top challenge in the 2023 AGC survey.

Statistic 79

The number of construction managers in Washington reached 12,450 in 2022, with projected 10% growth by 2030.

Statistic 80

Union membership in Washington construction stood at 22.4% in 2023, higher than the state average of 18.1%.

Statistic 81

Training hours for safety in Washington construction totaled 2.1 million in 2022 across all firms.

Statistic 82

Veteran employment in Washington construction hit 8,200 in 2023, supported by hiring incentives.

Statistic 83

Entry-level construction wages in rural Washington averaged $24.15/hour in 2023, versus $35.20 in Puget Sound.

Statistic 84

6,350 construction jobs were added in King County alone during 2023.

Statistic 85

Age demographics show 35% of Washington construction workers under 35 in 2022, indicating workforce rejuvenation.

Statistic 86

Overtime hours in Washington construction averaged 4.2 hours/week per worker in Q3 2023.

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Picture a single industry where the workforce is expanding, paychecks are soaring well above national averages, and the projects reshaping our skyline and infrastructure contributed a staggering $28.4 billion to Washington's economy in 2022.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, Washington State's construction sector employed 178,450 full-time workers, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022, with residential construction accounting for 42% of jobs.
As of Q4 2023, the average hourly wage for construction laborers in Washington was $32.47, 28% above the national average, due to high demand in urban areas like Seattle.
Women represented 12.3% of the Washington construction workforce in 2022, up from 10.1% in 2018, with initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.
Washington's construction industry contributed $28.4 billion to GDP in 2022, or 7.2% of state total.
Total construction spending in Washington reached $62.3 billion in 2023, up 9.1% from 2022.
Residential construction permits issued in Washington totaled 48,200 units in 2023, valued at $18.7 billion.
Highway construction contracts in Washington exceeded $7.8 billion in 2023.
Number of building permits issued statewide: 112,450 in 2023.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA saw 25,300 housing starts in 2023.
WA construction industry recorded 4.2 incidents per 100 workers in 2022.
Fatalities in construction: 28 in Washington 2023, down 12% from 2022.
OSHA citations issued to WA construction firms: 1,250 in FY2023.
LEED-certified buildings in WA reached 1,250 by end of 2023.
35% of new WA construction incorporated solar panels in 2023.
Recycled materials usage: 42 tons per $1M project average in 2023.

Washington's robust and growing construction sector faces labor shortages despite strong wages.

Construction Volume and Projects

Highway construction contracts in Washington exceeded $7.8 billion in 2023.
Number of building permits issued statewide: 112,450 in 2023.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA saw 25,300 housing starts in 2023.
WSDOT awarded 450+ highway projects totaling $4.2 billion in 2023.
Multifamily units permitted: 32,100 in Washington 2023.
Data center construction projects in WA: 12 active in 2023, 2.1M sq ft.
School construction bonds funded 180 projects worth $3.5 billion since 2020.
Renewable energy projects under construction: 15 wind/solar farms, 1.2 GW capacity.
Hospital expansions: 8 major projects, $2.9 billion total value in 2023.
Single-family home completions: 28,450 units in 2023 statewide.
Light rail extensions: Sound Transit added 10 miles, $3.7 billion cost.
Warehouse/distribution centers: 4.5M sq ft permitted in 2023.
Bridge replacements: 45 completed under state program in 2023.
Office building vacancy-driven renos: 1.2M sq ft in Seattle 2023.
Airport terminal upgrades: SEA added 750k sq ft.
Water/sewer infrastructure: $1.1 billion in federal-funded projects.
Retail construction: 15 new centers, 900k sq ft total 2023.
Total value of active construction projects: $112 billion as of 2024.

Construction Volume and Projects Interpretation

Washington's construction industry is clearly building everything except an excuse to slow down, with highways racing past the $7.8 billion mark, housing starts trying desperately to catch up, and even the warehouses expanding to store the state's sheer ambition.

Economic Impact

Washington's construction industry contributed $28.4 billion to GDP in 2022, or 7.2% of state total.
Total construction spending in Washington reached $62.3 billion in 2023, up 9.1% from 2022.
Residential construction permits issued in Washington totaled 48,200 units in 2023, valued at $18.7 billion.
Non-residential construction contracts awarded in Washington hit $15.9 billion in 2022.
Property tax revenue from new construction in Washington was $1.2 billion in 2023.
Construction multipliers show every $1 million invested generates $2.8 million in economic activity in WA.
Inflation in construction materials cost Washington firms an extra $4.1 billion in 2022.
State sales tax from construction purchases totaled $890 million in 2023.
Heavy/civil engineering projects contributed $9.2 billion to WA economy in 2023.
Small businesses (under 20 employees) made up 82% of WA construction firms, generating 35% of revenue.
Construction backlog in Washington stood at $45.6 billion as of Q1 2024.
Bond measures approved for construction totaled $12.4 billion in WA elections 2022-2023.
Export-related construction (ports/airports) added $2.3 billion to GDP in 2023.
Cost per square foot for commercial builds in Seattle averaged $285 in 2023.
Insurance premiums for construction in WA rose 11% to $1.8 billion in 2023.

Economic Impact Interpretation

From Washington’s towering skyscrapers to its bustling small job sites, the state’s construction industry isn't just building our future—it's single-handedly propping up a hefty slice of the economy, despite inflation stubbornly trying to inflate the bill.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

WA construction industry recorded 4.2 incidents per 100 workers in 2022.
Fatalities in construction: 28 in Washington 2023, down 12% from 2022.
OSHA citations issued to WA construction firms: 1,250 in FY2023.
Fall protection violations: 45% of total construction citations in 2023.
Lost-time injury rate: 1.8 per 200,000 hours worked in 2022.
Crane incidents: 3 reportable in WA 2023, all non-fatal.
Silica exposure violations: 210 citations, $1.2M fines in 2023.
98% of WA construction firms compliant with prevailing wage laws in 2023 audits.
Trenching collapse incidents: 5 in 2022, zero fatalities due to shoring.
Heat illness claims: 145 in construction during 2023 summer.
Electrical safety training reached 92% of workforce in 2023.
Permit compliance rate: 96.5% for structural builds in 2023.
Lead abatement projects: 320 inspected, 15 violations.
Ergonomic injury claims down 18% to 420 in construction 2023.
Fire safety code violations: 89 in multi-family projects 2023.
72% of WA construction sites passed random drug testing in 2023.
Scaffolding incidents: 22 non-fatal injuries reported 2023.
Asbestos removal certifications: 1,450 active in construction 2023.
Noise-induced hearing loss claims: 56 in construction 2022.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance Interpretation

While progress is made on fatal falls and trench collapses, the persistently high number of injuries and violations suggests Washington's construction industry is still building its safety culture faster than its high-rises.

Sustainability and Green Building

LEED-certified buildings in WA reached 1,250 by end of 2023.
35% of new WA construction incorporated solar panels in 2023.
Recycled materials usage: 42 tons per $1M project average in 2023.
Energy-efficient windows in 68% of residential builds 2023.
Net-zero energy projects: 22 completed in WA 2023.
Water conservation features in 78% of commercial projects 2023.
EV charging stations mandated in 55% of new parking structures.
Timber use from sustainable forests: 1.2M cubic meters in 2023 builds.
Green roofs installed: 450,000 sq ft on WA buildings 2023.
Low-VOC materials required in 92% of public projects 2023.
Carbon emissions from construction down 14% since 2019 baseline.
Passive house standards met by 18 projects in 2023.
Rainwater harvesting systems: 320 installed in new developments.
Modular green construction: 15% of total volume in 2023.
Biodiversity credits from construction sites: 2,500 acres preserved.
Geothermal heating in 12 public buildings completed 2023.
Waste diversion rate: 75% from landfills in construction debris.
Cool roofs reflective index >0.65 in 60% urban projects.
Native plant landscaping in 85% highway projects 2023.

Sustainability and Green Building Interpretation

Washington’s construction industry isn’t just building things anymore; it’s meticulously assembling a greener, smarter future one solar-paneled, energy-efficient, low-VOC, timber-conscious, water-saving, biodiversity-crediting, carbon-slashing, and LEED-certified brick at a time.

Workforce and Employment

In 2023, Washington State's construction sector employed 178,450 full-time workers, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022, with residential construction accounting for 42% of jobs.
As of Q4 2023, the average hourly wage for construction laborers in Washington was $32.47, 28% above the national average, due to high demand in urban areas like Seattle.
Women represented 12.3% of the Washington construction workforce in 2022, up from 10.1% in 2018, with initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.
Hispanic or Latino workers comprised 28.7% of Washington's construction employees in 2023, the highest among all industries in the state.
In 2022, there were 15,200 apprentices enrolled in Washington construction trade programs, a 15% rise from 2021.
Construction unemployment rate in Washington dropped to 3.8% in 2023, compared to the national rate of 4.5%.
Over 45% of Washington construction firms reported labor shortages as their top challenge in the 2023 AGC survey.
The number of construction managers in Washington reached 12,450 in 2022, with projected 10% growth by 2030.
Union membership in Washington construction stood at 22.4% in 2023, higher than the state average of 18.1%.
Training hours for safety in Washington construction totaled 2.1 million in 2022 across all firms.
Veteran employment in Washington construction hit 8,200 in 2023, supported by hiring incentives.
Entry-level construction wages in rural Washington averaged $24.15/hour in 2023, versus $35.20 in Puget Sound.
6,350 construction jobs were added in King County alone during 2023.
Age demographics show 35% of Washington construction workers under 35 in 2022, indicating workforce rejuvenation.
Overtime hours in Washington construction averaged 4.2 hours/week per worker in Q3 2023.

Workforce and Employment Interpretation

Washington's construction industry is booming with higher pay, a growing and diversifying workforce, and relentless demand, yet it still can't shake the persistent ghost of labor shortages that haunts its impressive growth.

Sources & References

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