Construction Employment and Wages in 2023

In 2023, the Construction industry employed over 7.9 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 3.1% from 2022. The annual mean wage in 2023 was $67,430, and the median wage was $58,500. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 3%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Building Equipment Contractors held the largest number of jobs within the Construction industry, employing over 2.4 million people in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $68,370, with a median wage of $59,960. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 5.4% to 4.4%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors accounted for a substantial employment share, with 979 thousand people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $62,200, and the median wage was $54,410. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from -4.9% to -5%.

The sub-group of Residential Building Construction also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 927 thousand people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $66,260 and the median wage was $56,540. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 1.1% to 1.2%.

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 2023, at $124,900, and a median wage of $104,000. The industry variance to the national average was -3.4%. Construction Managers had an annual mean wage of $114,230 and a median wage of $103,310. 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 $81,360 and a median wage of $76,960. The industry variance to the national average was 0%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Construction industry included Office Clerks, General, with an annual mean wage of $46,150 and a median wage of $43,830. The industry variance to the national average was 5.9%. Construction Laborers had an annual mean wage of $50,220 and a median wage of $45,890. The industry variance to the national average was 1.9%. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers had an annual mean wage of $58,450 and a median wage of $54,620. The industry variance to the national average was -2%.

Summary

In 2023, the U.S. Construction industry employed over 7.9 million people, reflecting a 3.1% increase from 2022. The annual mean wage in the industry was $67,430, and the median wage was $58,500, slightly higher than the national average by 3%. Building Equipment Contractors, the largest sub-group, employed 2.4 million people with an annual mean wage of $68,370, although wage growth slowed compared to national trends. Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors employed 979,000 people, with wages slightly below the national average. Residential Building Construction, employing 927,000, showed a slight increase in wage variance, with an annual mean wage of $66,260. High-paying occupations such as General and Operations Managers earned a mean wage of $124,900, while Construction Managers earned $114,230. Lower-paying roles, like Construction Laborers and Office Clerks, earned mean wages of $50,220 and $46,150, respectively. Overall, the industry experienced healthy employment growth, with wage competitiveness improving across most sub-groups and occupations.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2023 Construction Industry Report.