Top Challenges Facing the Construction Industry

Those in the construction industry face a number of risks, and being aware of what those risks are can help to mitigate them. According to the 2025 Construction Industry Challenges study from the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights in collaboration with the American Society of Safety Professionals, labor shortages, rising material costs, and jobsite safety were cited as the top three challenges facing the industry. Of the survey respondents, 38% say the labor shortage is the biggest challenge, while a respective 35% and 32% say rising material costs and jobsite safety are their main concerns.

When it comes to safety, 54% report an inconsistency in how workers wear PPE, and 48% say they were not fully confident in their training. Additionally, 38% lack a proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance.

“Improving safety in construction requires current data to help us better understand the obstacles that safety professionals face every day,” said Ray Chishti, senior EHS editor at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. “Real-world insights are essential for building safer, healthier job sites, and this study provides a critical picture of where the industry stands and where it needs to go to strengthen safety cultures.”