25 Essential US Construction Industry Statistics [2026]: Data, Trends And More

Construction industry research summary. The construction industry is a critical component of the U.S. economy, facing unique challenges and opportunities in the evolving labor market of 2026. With ongoing advancements in technology, a shift towards sustainable practices, and changes in workforce dynamics, understanding the current state of the U.S. construction market is essential. Here are some key statistics about the industry:

• As of January 2026, U.S. construction spending is valued at $2.1 trillion.

• Approximately 8.2 million people are employed by the construction industry, accounting for about 3% of the U.S. workforce.

• The construction industry represents roughly 4.5% of U.S. GDP.

• 1,200,000 new housing units were completed in 2025, reflecting a 8.4% increase from 2024.

• The market size of the U.S. construction industry was valued at around $3 trillion as of 2025.

• The construction industry’s revenue has risen at an annualized rate of 3.2% from 2021 to 2025.

• The average annual turnover rate in the construction industry is 60%, as of 2025.

For further analysis, we broke down the data in the following ways:
Employment | Effects of the Pandemic | Trends + Projections | Challenges

General construction industry statistics

The construction industry serves as the backbone of U.S. infrastructure. Here are some insightful general statistics we’ve gathered:

• There are over 780,000 employers in the U.S. construction industry.

• In a recent study, only about 35% of construction projects finished within 10% of their original budgets.

• With a revenue of $25 billion, Bechtel remains the largest construction company in the U.S.

Construction industry statistics by employment

The construction industry employs a significant portion of Americans. Here are some compelling statistics regarding employment in the industry:

• Workers in the construction industry account for approximately 3% of the entire U.S. workforce.

  As of January 2026, the workforce includes 8.2 million construction workers, up from 7.8 million in 2023.

• As of January 2026, the unemployment rate in the construction industry is 5.5%.

  This is a decline from the pandemic peak of 16.6% in 2020, demonstrating steady recovery.

  The national unemployment rate as of January 2026 stands at 3.6%.



• Women represent about 12.5% of all construction workers in the U.S.

  In comparison, women make up about 58% of the entire U.S. workforce.

• Average hourly wages for construction workers have increased to about $34.50 as of January 2025.

  Construction laborers earn around $23.00 per hour, while construction managers earn about $54.00 per hour, translating to approximately $112,320 annually.

  Electricians, carpenters, and other skilled trades earn between $28.00 and $33.00 per hour.

Average wages for construction employees

Job	Median (Hourly)	Mean (Hourly)	Median (Annual)	Mean (Annual)
Carpenters	$28.00	$30.50	$58,240	$63,440
Construction laborers	$20.00	$23.00	$41,600	$47,840
Construction managers	$52.00	$54.00	$108,160	$112,320
Electricians	$30.00	$32.50	$62,400	$67,600
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	$28.00	$30.00	$58,240	$62,400

Construction industry statistics and the pandemic

The construction industry has navigated the impacts of the pandemic and is currently in a recovery phase. Here are some statistics that highlight this transition:

• Construction spending increased by 5.5% from 2020 to 2021.

  In 2021, total construction spending reached $1.51 trillion, with residential construction making up a significant portion of that at approximately $850 billion.

• Nonresidential construction starts rebounded with a 20% increase from 2021 to 2022.

  This reflects a renewed confidence in the market and a return to pre-pandemic project levels.

• By mid-2021, the construction industry regained over 1 million jobs lost during the pandemic.

• Home improvement projects surged by 300% during the pandemic.

  This trend has continued, with homeowners investing in renovations and upgrades.

Construction industry statistics by trends and predictions

The construction industry is evolving, with several trends shaping its future. Here are some noteworthy projections:

• In 2025, about 1,050,000 single-family housing building permits were granted.

  This reflects a slight decline from 1,200,000 in 2024, but still shows growth compared to pre-pandemic levels.

• Construction starts for single-family homes reached 900,000 in 2025, while multifamily homes accounted for 600,000.

New residential construction starts in the U.S. 2008-2026

Year	Single-Family	Multifamily
2025	900K	600K
2024	950K	500K
2023	1,005K	550K
2022	1,127K	473K
2021	991K	390K
2020	888K	402K

• New construction is forecast to be valued at about $1.45 trillion in 2025.

  This reflects ongoing recovery and growth within various sectors of construction.

• It’s predicted that there will be approximately 350,000 more construction jobs by 2030 compared to 2025.

  This represents a compound annual growth rate of about 0.5%, indicating a steady demand for construction labor.

• Around 65% of surveyed construction executives expect industry expansion in 2026.

  This is an increase from 60% in 2025, signaling growing optimism about the industry’s future.

Construction industry statistics by challenges

The construction industry continues to face significant challenges. Here are some key statistics reflecting these issues:

• Approximately 90% of contractors report difficulty in finding skilled workers.

  Many cite a high level of difficulty in recruiting electricians, carpenters, and other essential tradespeople.

• Only 30% of construction projects studied from 2021 to 2025 completed within 10% of their projected timelines.

• As of early 2025, the separation rate in the construction industry was 4.2%.

  This marks a decrease from the pandemic high of 4.8% in 2020.

• The price of construction materials has stabilized, but still remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.

  While lumber prices have decreased, other materials, like steel and copper, continue to fluctuate due to market demand.

U.S. construction industry statistics FAQ

1. What percentage of the workforce is construction?

   Approximately 3% of the U.S workforce works in construction. That’s about 8.2 million Americans employed by the construction industry, as of January 2026.

2. How big is the construction industry?

   The U.S. construction industry is significant, valued at over $3 trillion in 2025. It ranks as one of the largest industries in the country, contributing approximately 4.5% of the U.S. GDP.

3. Is the construction industry growing in the U.S.?

   Yes, the construction industry is experiencing growth in the U.S.

   The job growth rate within the construction sector parallels the overall U.S. rate of 0.5%, with revenue expected to rise consistently in the coming years.

4. Is the construction industry the largest in the U.S.?

   No, the construction industry is not the largest in the U.S. It accounts for about 4.5% of the U.S. GDP, ranking it around 12th among all industries.

   The largest industry in the U.S. is the real estate, renting, and leasing industry, contributing to 13% of the U.S. GDP.

5. How many new homes are built each year?

   Over 1.2 million new housing units were built in 2025. With about 880,000 of those being single-family homes.

6. What is the future of the construction industry?

   The future of the construction industry includes a focus on digitization, automation, and sustainable building practices. Trends indicate increased use of robotics and a shift towards greener construction methods.

7. What is the turnover rate for the construction industry?

   The construction industry’s turnover rate is around 60% as of 2025. This remains higher than many other sectors, highlighting ongoing workforce challenges.

Conclusion

The U.S. construction industry is a major pillar of the U.S. economy, contributing 4.5% to the nation’s GDP and employing over 8.2 million people.

Despite facing challenges, such as a skilled labor shortage and fluctuating material costs, the industry is adapting and evolving. Companies are increasingly embracing technology and implementing sustainable practices, which are crucial for future growth.

As the industry continues to recover and expand, it is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the modern economic landscape while meeting the demands of a changing workforce.

References

1. Statista. “U.S. Construction Industry – Statistics Facts.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

2. AGC. “Construction Data.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

3. KPMG. “Global Construction Survey 2025: Climbing the Curve.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Employment Projections: Employment by Major Industry Sector.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Labor Force Statistics From the Current Population Survey.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “State Employment and Unemployment—January 2026.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Women in the Labor Force: A Databook.” Accessed on January 15, 2026.

8. U.S. Census Bureau. “New Residential Construction.” Accessed on January 10, 2026.

9. U.S. Census Bureau. “Construction Spending.” Accessed on January 10, 2026.

10. Statista. “U.S. construction industry – statistics & facts.” Accessed on January 10, 2026.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.