A new study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that more young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are expressing interest in construction trades, though industry leaders say more work is needed to raise awareness of the sector’s earning potential and career opportunities.
The findings build on a similar NAHB survey conducted in 2016. The share of young adults interested in pursuing a career in construction trades has doubled over the past decade, rising from 3% to 6%. Among respondents, the most cited benefits of working in the trades were good pay (73%) and the opportunity to gain useful, practical skills (65%).
The shift comes as the U.S. faces a housing shortage of roughly 1.2 million units, a gap that will require a significant expansion of the construction workforce. NAHB estimates that the industry will need approximately 2.2 million new skilled workers over the next three years to meet demand, replace retirees and support ongoing growth.
“While this new research shows that more young adults have a positive attitude toward a career in the construction trades, many are still unaware that careers in the building trades offer well-paid jobs and opportunities for growth in one of the most in-demand industries in the nation,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the NAHB. “High schools need to stress that the skilled trades are a viable alternative to four-year colleges that can pay above median wages and serve as a launching pad for small business development.”
Policymakers at all levels of government can support these efforts by increasing funding for construction trades education and expanding job placement services, Owens added. The NAHB is backing the proposed CONSTRUCTS Act, bipartisan legislation pending in Congress aimed at addressing labor shortages by strengthening training pathways into construction and other essential trades.
The survey also found that 30% of young adults who are undecided about their future career path would consider the trades if compensation were high enough, up from 18% a decade ago. The data point to a measurable improvement in perceptions of the sector, particularly as wages rise.
Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $60,320 annually, with the top 25% making at least $81,510, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and NAHB analysis. By comparison, the median annual wage across all U.S. occupations is $49,500, with the top quartile earning at least $78,810.
At the same time, broader shifts in the labor market may also be influencing career considerations at the margin. Advances in Artificial Intelligence and automation technologies are beginning to reshape certain entry-level white-collar roles, particularly in administrative support, customer service and basic analysis. While most professional occupations remain largely intact, economists say the automation of routine digital tasks may be contributing to a reassessment among younger workers about the relative stability and long-term value of hands-on skilled trades, which are generally less susceptible to automation.
In a key finding for the home building industry, the NAHB survey found that 52% of undecided adults aged 18 to 25 who initially would not choose a career in the trades would reconsider for the right level of pay. Of that group, 32% said they would be swayed by salaries of at least $90,000, while another 20% would consider the field for wages between $60,000 and $80,000. NAHB noted that at least 12 construction occupations already meet or exceed those income thresholds.
“If we are to meet the housing needs of a growing population, now more than ever, providing opportunities for students to learn a craft that will produce well-paying and lifelong career opportunities must be a top priority,” Owens said.
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