In 2023, the number of women employed in the construction industry increased to approximately 1.3 million, representing 10.8% of the construction workforce. This marks a rise from 9.3% in 2002. As the industry continues to face a shortage of skilled labor, incorporating more women into the workforce is seen as a significant opportunity for future growth.
The Great Recession caused a sharp decline in the number of women working in construction, dropping by nearly 30% to 807,000 by 2010. From 2010 to 2017, this number gradually rose to around 970,000 but remained below pre-recession levels. Recent years have shown significant growth, with women in construction reaching a record high of 1.287 million in 2023.
Currently, most women in the construction industry are employed in office and administrative support, management, business and financial operations roles. Sales and office occupations employ the largest number of women within the industry. For instance, women accounted for 66% of workers in sales and office occupations, including 406,000 women in office and administrative support and 31,000 in sales and related occupations in 2023. Additionally, about 511,000 women held roles in management, professional and related occupations; however, they only made up 18% of all management positions.
Despite accounting for a significant portion of other roles within the industry, women comprised only 4% of construction and maintenance occupations—the area where additional workers are most needed. Other groups such as production, transportation and material moving occupations, and service occupations employed around just 26,000 female workers.
For more detailed statistics on construction labor demographics, visit NAHB’s Eye on Housing blog.
