Residential Building Worker Wages on the Rise

Workforce Development
Published

Average hourly earnings for residential building workers continue to rise as the construction labor market remains tight. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), average hourly earnings for residential building workers was $28.66 in February 2022, increasing 6% from $27.01 a year ago.

Earnings for residential building workers have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic recession. Between December 2019 and December 2021, average hourly earnings increased about 12%.

Jing Fu, NAHB director of forecasting and analysis, provides more in this Eye on Housing post.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Membership | Leadership Meetings

Jan 13, 2026

Release of 2026 Committee and Council Appointments

Letters for 2026 Committee and Council appointments are tentatively scheduled to be released on Friday, Feb. 6. A list of appointees will be posted on nahb.org on Monday, Feb. 9.

Legal

Jan 12, 2026

State Supreme Court to Review NAHB-Supported Case on Subcontractor Liability

The South Carolina Supreme Court granted a petition for certiorari review in a case with serious consequences for general contractor liability for subcontractor negligence.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jan 13, 2026

New Home Sales Rise Year-Over-Year as Prices Stabilize

The new home sector has played an increasingly important role in meeting housing demand as resale inventory remains constrained in many regions. The latest data released today (and delayed because of the government shutdown in fall of 2025) indicate that new single-family home sales continue to reflect a stabilizing market after a period of heightened volatility.

Economics

Jan 13, 2026

Inflation Steady in December

Inflation held steady in December, matching November’s reading, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) latest report. This December report was the first report to include a month-to-month figure since the government shutdown.

Economics

Jan 12, 2026

Household Real Estate Asset Values Fall in the Third Quarter

The market value of household real estate assets fell to $48.0 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, according to the most recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve Z.1 Financial Accounts. The third quarter value is 0.7% lower than the second quarter but is 1.5% higher than a year ago.