How Old Are America's Construction Workers?

The construction workforce has made strides in attracting and retaining younger generations of skilled workers, but there is still work to do.

According to recent NAHB analysis of the 2024 American Community Survey data, the median age of a construction worker is 42 years old, which is one year older than the typical worker in the labor force.

Which states have the oldest and youngest construction workers?

• Rhode Island has the oldest median age construction worker at 47 years old, followed by Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Illinois (44 years old).
• The central part of the United States has most of the youngest median average aged construction workers, including Utah and Idaho at 39 years old.

Which states have the oldest construction workers when compared to other careers in their states?

• Once again, Rhode Island's older construction workforce is seven years higher than the overall median age worker in the state.
• Vermont's median age construction worker is four years older than its overall median age worker.

How is each generation contributing to the construction labor force?

• Gen Z's influence in construction is growing rapidly, increasing from 6.4% of the workforce in 2019 to 16.8% in 2024.
• Millennials' share in the workforce also grew from 35.7% to 37.5% while Gen X (-4.1%) and Baby Boomers (-7.8%) both decreased.
• Compared to all industries, construction has a smaller share of younger workers, with just 10.7% of the workforce under age 25. All other industries have 13.7% of their workforce under 25.

How does the age of workers in construction trades compare to the construction workforce at large?

• Construction trades workers' median age is 40, which is two years younger than the rest of the workforce

What are the oldest and youngest median ages of construction trades workers' occupations?

• Construction and building inspectors, plasterers and stucco masons share the highest median ages at 46
• Highway maintenance workers are close behind with a median age of 45
• On the other end, pipe layers' median age is 34 while solar photovoltaic installers are the youngest group in the construction trades with a median age of 27

For more analysis, read this Eye on Housing post from NAHB Principal Economist Na Zhao.