Women’s Representation in the Construction Workforce Hits Highest Level in Two Decades
Female workers constituted 11.3% of the construction workforce in 2025, representing the highest proportion recorded over the preceding two decades, as documented by the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS). The total female employment in this sector reached approximately 1.37 million individuals, reflecting an increase of roughly 31,000 positions.
Expanding female participation within the construction labor force presents a substantial opportunity for industry expansion, particularly given the sector’s ongoing challenge in recruiting adequately trained personnel. According to CPS data, female representation in construction has experienced considerable growth since 2012, when the figure stood at 828,000 workers, with consistent year-over-year expansion observed throughout this period. This upward trajectory constitutes a meaningful recovery from the Great Recession, during which construction activity experienced significant contraction.
Nevertheless, the majority of women remain concentrated in roles such as office and administrative support, management, and business and financial operations. Notably, women represented 78% of office and administrative support positions within the construction sector, as documented by CPS data.
Women constituted merely 4% of the workforce in construction and extraction occupations, 3% in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations, and 6% in production occupations. The industry’s available skilled workforce could experience substantial growth through enhanced female participation in these sectors.
The increasing participation of women within the construction sector corresponds with the proliferation of professional and administrative positions throughout the industry. Given the industry’s ongoing challenge with insufficient skilled labor availability, workforce expansion constitutes a principal strategic objective. The incorporation of women into the construction labor market presents a viable avenue for sustained development.
This examination employs employment data derived from the Current Population Survey (CPS) to analyze women’s contribution to construction employment and identify the occupational categories where women demonstrate the highest concentration.
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