The Great Recession left a lasting impact on the American economy, especially in the housing market. From 2007 to 2010, the subprime mortgage crisis led to the widespread devaluation of residential properties and discouraged builders from investing in new housing construction. As a consequence, the number of new housing construction starts plummeted, and the repercussions of the recession continue to be felt in the construction industry to this day.
Despite these adversities, construction workers remain a vital component of the American workforce, driving economic growth through their work in essential sectors. Their efforts serve as a foundation for initiatives aimed at expanding the supply of residential housing and bolstering a waning American manufacturing industry. By building the houses, buildings, and infrastructure necessary to achieve these goals, construction workers make significant contributions to the country’s economic development.
Trends in Construction Employment
Construction employment still remains below pre-Great Recession levels
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
More than a decade after the Great Recession, employment within the construction sector continues to lag behind pre-recession levels. Following the housing market crash in 2008, construction jobs experienced a significant decline, with the full impact not being realized until January 2011 when the share of total employment hit a 30-year low of just 4.15%.
Since then, however, employment in construction has grown. Apart from the brief spike during the COVID-19 pandemic—when many construction professionals were considered essential workers and most other workers faced mass unemployment—the share of total employment in the construction industry rose steadily. As of February 2024, the share of employment in construction stands at 5.17%.
Construction Industry Occupations With the Most Employees
The construction industry employs a diverse set of workers
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
This trend not only affects laborers and trades workers typically associated with the construction industry, but also impacts a diverse array of professionals who support, manage, and employ these workers. While laborers and specialty contractors account for most construction industry jobs, other common roles include general managers (3.3% of total construction industry employment), construction managers (3.2%), office clerks (3.2%), project managers (2.3%), secretaries and assistants (1.7%), and bookkeepers (1.7%).
Regional Disparities in Construction Employment
The Mountain West relies most heavily on the construction industry for jobs
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
Construction employment varies significantly across the country, with states in the Mountain West region—such as Wyoming (8.4%), Utah (8.2%), Idaho (8.1%), Montana (8.0%), and Nevada (7.4%)—relying most heavily on construction industry jobs. This trend also holds true at the metropolitan level, with four large Mountain West metros ranking within the top 10 for the largest concentration of construction industry workers.
Some point to the combination of the region’s business-friendly tax and regulatory environment with the renewed effort to reshore critical industries as a key driver of manufacturing-related construction in the area. However, it’s important to recognize that rapid population growth in the region has also played a significant role. The influx of residents has created substantial demand for new housing and infrastructure projects, driving elevated levels of construction activity.
Below is a breakdown of changes in construction industry employment across over 380 metros and all 50 states conducted by Construction Coverage, a website comparing construction software and insurance, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more detailed information, refer to the methodology section.
Large Metros With the Most Construction Workers
Midsize Metros With the Most Construction Workers
Small Metros With the Most Construction Workers
States With the Most Construction Workers
Methodology
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To determine the locations with the most construction workers, researchers at Construction Coverage analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. The researchers ranked locations by the percentage of total employment in the construction industry in Q3 2023, the latest data available. In the event of a tie, the location with the greater total number of construction industry employees was ranked higher. To improve relevance, only metropolitan areas with complete data were included, and they were grouped into cohorts based on population size: small (less than 350,000), midsize (350,000–1,000,000), and large (more than 1,000,000).
For complete results, see Cities With the Most Construction Workers on Construction Coverage.
