Long-term labor challenges are sending construction wages to new highs, particularly in the Northeast and along the Pacific coast. As of February 2023, 10 states reported average earnings exceeding $40 per hour, including Massachusetts with a rate of $45.9, New Jersey with $45.4, and Illinois with an average of $44.6, among others.
The majority of Southern states reported average hourly earnings in construction under $31, with the lowest hourly wage of $27.5 reported in Mississippi and Arkansas, according to the National Association of Home Builders' Eye on Housing.
The lowest hourly wages are in neighboring Mississippi and Arkansas – $27.5, followed by South Carolina – $29.3, New Mexico – $29.4, West Virginia – $29.8, Kentucky – $30. Maine – $30.2, Oklahoma – $30.2, Idaho – $30.6, and Alabama – $30.7 conclude the bottom ten hourly wages in construction list.
Advertisement
Related Stories
National Housing Quality Award
Apply for the National Housing Quality Award
Applying for the housing industry’s top business award will help your company improve profitability, achieve better customer satisfaction, and sell more homes
Business Management
2024 National Housing Quality Awards for Operational Excellence
Camelot Homes earns Gold and Stone Martin Builders earns Bronze in the 2024 NHQA, the highest recognition of operational excellence for home builders
Business Management
Managing With Data (or How to Get Your Processes to Talk to You)
To improve their margins, home builders need good data. But the home building industry isn't really skilled at measuring or providing it. It's time to change that