Construction Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Construction industry employed over 7.7 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 4.3% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $64,090, and the median wage was $54,540. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 3.5%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Building Equipment Contractors held the largest number of jobs within the Construction industry, employing over 2.3 million people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $65,260, with a median wage of $57,730. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 7.1% to 5.4%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors accounted for a substantial employment share, with 952 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $58,840, and the median wage was $49,920. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -4% to -4.9%.

The sub-group of Residential Building Construction also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 905 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $62,580 and the median wage was $50,970. The wage variance to the national average experienced a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 1.3% to 1.1%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Construction industry, we find that General and Operations Managers had the highest annual mean wage in 2022, at $117,460, and a median wage of $99,390. The industry variance to the national average was -4.4%. Construction Managers had an annual mean wage of $110,160 and a median wage of $100,480. The industry variance to the national average was -2.3%. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers had an annual mean wage of $77,700 and a median wage of $74,330. The industry variance to the national average was 0.1%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Construction industry included Office Clerks, General, with an annual mean wage of $44,180 and a median wage of $41,600. The industry variance to the national average was 7.4%. Construction Laborers had an annual mean wage of $47,350 and a median wage of $42,970. The industry variance to the national average was 2.2%. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers had an annual mean wage of $56,390 and a median wage of $49,680. The industry variance to the national average was -1.9%.

Summary

The Construction industry experienced a 4.3% increase in employment in 2022, with over 7.7 million people employed. The industry offered competitive wages, with an annual mean wage of $64,090 and a median wage of $54,540, exceeding the national average by 3.5%. Overall, the Construction industry showcases growth and favorable wage prospects, making it a notable sector in the United States.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Construction Industry Report.