Which States Have the Highest Wages for Construction Workers?

As labor challenges persist in the construction industry, wages in the sector continue to rise, often exceeding typical earnings for workers in other industries. Reporting on the latest Current Employment Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Association of Home Builders' Eye On Housing says that for the construction industry, not seasonally adjusted (NSA) national average hourly earnings (AHE) have grown by 5% since a year ago, approaching $38 per hour in March 2024, while in 11 states, hourly rates exceeded $41. Of those, Massachusetts saw AHE in construction approach $49 (NSA) per hour in February.

Average hourly earnings in construction across the 43 states that report these data vary widely, with regional differences reflecting variation in the cost of living in different locales, among other things. But NAHB points out that areas with faster growing wages are also more likely to indicate tight labor markets in those places.

Some of the highest AHE are recorded by states in Northeast and along the Pacific coast. As of February 2024, nine states report average earnings (NSA) exceeding $43 per hour, including: Massachusetts – $48.9, Washington – $47.3, New Jersey – $45.6, Alaska – $45.0, Illinois – $44.9, New York – $44.9, Rhode Island – $44.7, California – $44.1, and Oregon – $43. At the same time, the US average hourly earnings in construction are $37.7 (NSA).

At the other end of the spectrum are mostly Southern states, with the vast majority reporting non-seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings in construction under $34. ...

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