The construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (e.g., highways and utility systems). Establishments primarily engaged in the preparation of sites for new construction and establishments primarily engaged in subdividing land for sale as building sites also are included in this sector. Construction work done may include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Activities of these establishments generally are managed at a fixed place of business, but they usually perform construction activities at multiple project sites.
Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data show the following:
Construction employment is 28 percent of total employment in the goods-producing sectors (which also include manufacturing, and natural resources and mining), while construction accounts for 61 percent of goods-producing establishments.
In the economy as a whole (goods-producing and service-providing sectors), construction employs about 5.2 percent of all workers and accounts for about 9.8 percent of all establishments.
Current Employment Statistics estimates show total annual average employment in construction rising from 5,095,000 in 1994 to a high of 6,826,000 in 2001. During 2003, total construction employment averaged 6,722,000.
Employment of production workers in construction has also increased strongly over the past 10 years, beginning at 3,973,000 in 1994 and peaking at 5,332,000 in 2001. In 2003, employment of production workers in construction averaged 5,112,000.
Average weekly hours of production workers in construction were 38.4, well above the 2003 private industry average of 33.7 for production and nonsupervisory workers.
The average hourly earnings of production workers in construction were $18.95 in 2003, compared to an average of $15.35 for production and nonsupervisory workers in all private industry.
In 2003, the unemployment rate of persons most recently employed in construction was 9.3 percent, according to the Current Population Survey. The overall unemployment rate was 6.0 percent that year.
Data from the Mass Layoff Statistics program show that in construction, there were 848 extended mass layoff events in 2002, resulting in 118,538 separations of workers from their jobs and 135,326 initial claimants for unemployment insurance.
Employment Projections data indicate that construction employment will increase 15.1 percent over the 2002-12 period. Construction is the only goods-producing sector in which employment is projected to grow. Total employment for all industry sectors is projected to grow 14.8 percent.
Productivity and Costs data are not published for any industries in construction, nor are Producer Price Index data (except for material and supply inputs to construction industries.)
In 2003, there were 1,126 fatal occupational injuries in construction and 408,300 nonfatal injuries and illnesses, according to data from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program. The nonfatal injuries and illnesses incidence rate was 6.8 per 100 full-time workers in construction and 5.0 per 100 full-time workers in all private industry.
Some businesses in this industry are:
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Air Conditioning and Heating Company Commercial Building Construction Drywall Contractors Electrical Contractors Flooring Contractors Framing Contractors Glass and Glazing Contractors Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction Land Subdivision Construction Masonry Contractors New Housing Construction |
Oil and Gas Pipeline Construction Painting Contractors Plumbing Contractors Poured Concrete Foundation Power and Communication Line Construction Residential Remodelers Roofing Contractors Siding Contractors Structural Steel Contractors Water and Sewer Line Construction |
Information courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
