Immigrant Workers Fill Low-Skill, High-Vacancy Construction Positions

Immigrant workers within the construction industry tend to work in positions that register the highest labor shortages, the NAHB’s Eye on Housing blog reports.

The NAHB has found that foreign-born workers in the construction industry tend to be concentrated in positions with low education requirements. These same positions are also the most likely to see vacancies and shortages.

Trades with the largest shares of immigrant workers are largely the trades needed to build homes, like carpenters, painters, and brick masons. The overall share of immigrant workers in the construction industry is 30 percent, and the group also accounts for 37 percent of construction laborers, one of the most common construction occupations.

NAHB research shows that immigrants are concentrated in trades that do not require years of education. Immigrants account for almost half of drywall/ceiling tile installers and tapers, a trade where more than 44% of workers do not have a high school diploma. About 37% of all carpet/floor/tile installers and painters did not finish high school, immigrants account for 46% of workers in these occupations.

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