2025 Construction Outlook Update – Workforce Snapshot report released
Manhattan, NY New York’s state and city construction workforce is more diverse and earning more than ever before – with nearly 60% of both the state and city’s workforce reporting household incomes over $100,000 – according to a new report, released today, from the New York Building Congress. The findings from the “2025 Construction Outlook Update – Workforce Snapshot” highlight how the construction industry remains a solid path to the middle class for New Yorkers from all backgrounds.
The report also found that, despite widespread concern about the challenges linked to an increasingly older construction workforce, trends for the past two years show an increasing proportion of workers under the age of 45 joining the workforce, indicating younger generations seeing a career for themselves in the industry. The report also projects that by the end of 2025 the construction workforce is estimated to comprise about 583,000 workers, a near full recovery (99.6%) from the industry’s pre-pandemic workforce level of 585,000 statewide in 2019.
“We are thrilled to see that the construction industry has continued to grow in the past couple of years – with people from more diverse backgrounds and younger people entering the field,” said Carlo A. Scissura, President and CEO, New York Building Congress. “As our new report notes, earnings are up for the workforce across New York State, a strong signal that this industry remains a successful pathway to upward mobility for so many. The Building Congress is committed to advocating for more opportunities to grow and support the industry’s vital workforce.”
Key Statistics:
Statewide, the construction workforce amounted to 560,000 workers in 2023, indicating a 95.7% recovery to pre-pandemic employment levels of 585,000. It’s projected that by the end of 2025 the construction workforce is estimated to comprise about 583,000 workers, a near full recovery (99.6%) from the industry’s pre-pandemic workforce level.
In 2023, 59.8% of NYS construction workers had a household income of $100,000+, and 47.3% earned over $125,000, both higher than 2022 levels (56.6% and 43%, respectively). In NYC, 57.6% earned $100,000+, and 46.3% made over $125,000, up from 55% and 43% in 2022.
The number of workers earning between $25-$49K decreased by about 20,000 workers, while the number of workers in higher income ranges increased in 2023. Those earning between $50-$75k increased by about 11,000 workers, those earning between $75-$99k increased by over 2,500 workers, and the number of workers earning over $100k increased by about 5,500.
In New York state, 45% of workers identify as non-White. In New York City, this figure rises to 66.8%. Notably, Hispanic workers now make up 30% of the workforce statewide and 44% in New York City, and are the fastest-growing demographic in the industry.
Within New York State, young professionals continue to join the construction industry’s workforce. 7.5% statewide are under 25 years old, rising from 6.6% in 2021. The workforce within NYC under 25 years old has grown to 6.1% from 4.9% in 2020.
Key Recommendations from the report include:
The industry needs to continue attracting and retaining young talent through effective training and education initiatives. The Building Congress’s Young Professionals Committee has been active in engaging and attracting younger workers and recommends investing in statewide educational programs to encourage more young people to pursue careers in Architecture, Engineering, and Technology.
The Building Congress supports expanding childcare hours so that families who work in the industry have access to adequate childcare when they are required to be on job sites during non-traditional hours.
To further grow the construction industry and increase diversity, the Building Congress recommends increasing government support for training and developing specialized sectors of the construction industry workforce, including a focus on ‘green construction’ occupations and the responsible use of AI. The NYBC also endorses additional investment in statewide, workforce training programs like the Apprenticeship Readiness Collective (ARC).
To further increase MWBE participation across the state, the NY Building Congress recommends developing a one-stop shop for M/WBE firms to bid on all state, city, and public authority projects in one place.