Construction Workers Earn Record Wages as Employment Hits All-Time High of 8.34 Million

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 21, 2026

Construction employment surpassed 8.34 million workers by mid-2026, reaching an all-time record high after stagnating around 8.25 million throughout 2025. A new Construction Coverage analysis of BLS and BEA data finds construction workers earn a national median of $59,540 annually—nearly 17% above the overall U.S. median—though real purchasing power varies sharply by region. Midwestern states, led by Illinois at $80,604 cost-adjusted, offer the strongest real wages, while Southern states like Florida and Texas rank near the bottom. Staffing firms serving construction trades should note both the strong hiring demand and significant regional variation in competitive pay benchmarks.