The numbers the industry runs on.
Census construction spending, the ABC workforce model, BLS wages and openings — each figure dated and linked to its source. Get the monthly data brief.
Get the monthly brief Wage tableHeadline numbers
Every figure dated and linked. Updated as of 2026-10-05.
Worth knowing
Roughly one in five electricians is over 55 — retirements, not expansion, drive most of 2026's hiring need.
Nonresidential specialty trade contractors have added about 95,000 jobs since August 2024.
Elevator and escalator installers earn the highest median pay in the trades at $109,910.
Top-paying trades
| Occupation | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Elevator & Escalator Installers and Repairers | $109,910 |
| Boilermakers | $76,410 |
| Construction & Building Inspectors | $74,690 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | $63,800 |
| Electricians | $63,190 |
| Ironworkers | $61,910 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | $61,800 |
| Carpenters | $60,580 |
| Drywall, Ceiling Tile Installers & Tapers | $59,780 |
| Construction Equipment Operators | $59,600 |
Data in the news
Headlines from ENR, Construction Dive, Construction Executive, AGC of America, For Construction Pros, Construction Equipment Guide, NCCER, BLS Employment Situation — refreshed hourly. Full feed at ConstructionNews.com.
- Asphalt Contractor Reveals 2026 Tandem Roller Spec Guide
For Construction Pros · 2026-10-11 - Stellar Industries Acquires Midwest Fire Apparatus Manufacturer
For Construction Pros · 2026-10-10 - Environmental Psychology & Concrete
For Construction Pros · 2026-10-10 - AI Exclusions Won't Soon Be Popping Up in Designer Liability Insurance Policies
ENR · 2026-10-09 - Fisk Electric wins $24M modular contract for Houston data center
Construction Dive · 2026-10-09
The monthly data brief
Census spending, BLS employment and wages, ABC workforce updates — one email on release week.