Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Employment in the U.S. construction industry is projected to increase from approximately 8.27 million jobs in 2025 to 8.68 million in 2035, adding 410,700 jobs, or 5%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and an analysis from the NAHB. This growth exceeds the projected 3.5% increase in total U.S. employment, suggesting that construction will expand faster than the overall labor market over the next decade.
Residential building construction is projected to add 34,200 jobs while specialty trade contractors are projected to add 270,600 jobs, with these two segments accounting for approximately 74% of construction’s projected net employment gain.
Specialty trade contractors are expected to contribute the largest share of the increase, reflecting their substantial role in electrical work, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, roofing and other specialized construction activities across the broader construction market.
Within residential building construction, projected employment gains are concentrated in occupations that support on-site construction, project coordination and supervision.
Construction laborers are projected to record the largest gain, adding 13,900 jobs from 2025 to 2035, followed by carpenters, with an increase of 8,100 jobs, construction managers with 5,100 jobs added and first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers adding 2,800 jobs. Project management specialists are expected to add a projected 1,700 jobs.
Among specialty trade contractors, electricians are expected to see the most significant increase, adding 65,700 jobs between 2025 and 2035. Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected to gain 40,900 jobs, followed by construction laborers, with an increase of 34,800 jobs. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are projected to add 27,900 jobs.
Supervisory and management occupations are also expected to contribute to employment growth, with first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers projected to gain 17,300 jobs while construction managers are expected to add 11,200 jobs.
