Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Construction Cover.
In recent years, financial commitments from the federal government to rebuild and expand America’s critical infrastructure have been a boon to the construction industry. However, the construction industry is facing a severe labor shortage.
The construction industry has recovered after a short but intense round of layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, hiring in this sector has increased significantly while construction spending continues to grow.
Despite labor shortages at the national level, some states have seen significant growth in construction employment. Many of these gains in construction activity can be attributed to population growth and the need for more residential housing in these areas.
At the metropolitan level, there is a strong positive correlation between the overall health of the local economy and the growth of construction-specific jobs. Overall, areas with the largest employment growth are likely to experience strong construction job growth, while metros suffering from job losses are more likely to experience reduced construction employment.
To find the areas with the largest increase in construction jobs, researchers at Construction Coverage analyzed data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, see the methodology section at the end.
The following is a breakdown of construction job growth in major US cities.
15. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +5.3%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +7.9%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +2,720
- Total construction work (2023): 54,000
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $48,740
14. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +7.1%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): -2.3%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +4,510
- Total construction work (2023): 68,240
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $74,940
13. Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +7.9%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): -5.5%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +1,460
- Total construction work (2023): 19,880
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $54,310
12. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +8.7%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +4.1%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +3,480
- Total construction work (2023): 43,520
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $59,520
11. Rochester, NY
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +8.8%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): -4.1%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +1,590
- Total construction work (2023): 19,630
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $58,880
10. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +10.7%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +8.7%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +5,930
- Total construction work (2023): 61,510
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $47,430
9. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): + 12.6%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +6.5%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +5,970
- Total construction work (2023): 53,350
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $64,280
8. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): + 14.3%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +7.6%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +7,890
- Total construction work (2023): 63,170
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $47,590
7. Raleigh-Cary, NC
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +15.0%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): + 11.6%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +4,250
- Total construction work (2023): 32,670
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $49,160
6. Columbus, OH
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +16.1%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): No significant change
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +4,830
- Total construction work (2023): 34,800
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $61,880
5. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +19.0%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +9.8%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +9,120
- Total construction work (2023): 57,080
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $58,910
4. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +19.9%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +20.1%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +8,780
- Total construction work (2023): 52,890
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $48,150
3. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): + 25.7%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): + 11.4%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +23,880
- Total construction work (2023): 116,950
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $54,080
2. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): +29.0%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +11.0%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +9,330
- Total construction work (2023): 41,500
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $49,260
1. Salt Lake City, UT
- Percentage change in construction employment (2018-2023): + 30.9%
- Percentage change in total employment (2018-2023): +12.7%
- Total change in construction activity (2018-2023): +10,380
- Total construction work (2023): 44,000
- Average annual salary for construction workers (2023): $54,430
How to do it
The data used in this analysis comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
To determine the areas with the largest increase in construction activity, researchers at Construction Coverage calculated the percentage change in construction activity between 2018 and 2023. Only changes that were statistically significant at the 90% confidence interval are reported.
The researchers also calculated the percentage change in total employment, the total change in construction employment, and the average annual salary for construction workers in 2023.
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