Construction
The construction industry is expected to add more than 10,400 jobs over the next decade. This number does not account for all of the demand on the 107 known large public capital projects identified by 2024 Regional Workforce Market Study. These projects alone will require over 22,000 construction workers. These high-paying positions (averaging over $30 per hour) are essential to our economy. Current and future building trends, both public and private, are rapidly increasing the demand for skilled tradespeople while one-fifth of the area’s Construction workforce is at, or nearing, retirement age.
The regional industry panel meets regularly to find solutions to meet this demand, address other ongoing challenges, they and developed the 2025-2027 Construction Workforce Plan. Creating a regional Construction Plan allows us to identify common industry workforce challenges, coalesce around shared goals, and align the efforts of the public workforce system to make a greater overall impact for the sector.
Resources for Construction Companies
Construction Labor Market Report 2025 – This report is a state of the industry workforce in the six-county Southwest Washington-Portland Metro Area.
- Read some of the report highlights in our blog
Construction Workforce Plan 2025-2027 – Led by companies and the needs they identified, we created a regional workforce development plan with partners at CWWC.
Construction Video – Hear from some of Southwest Washington’s leaders in construction.
Workforce Plan
Under the guidance of employers, education partners, associations and other interested parties, WSW and its CWWC partners developed the “Construction Workforce Plan 2025-2027” with goals to:
- Connect youth to jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities
- Advance equity and diversity in the construction industry
- Improve retention of existing apprentices and workers
- Connect “career changers” to jobs, training and career opportunities
We meet regularly with companies to gather information and present on strategies and achievement of plan goals.
Construction Labor Market Information
Top 20 In-Demand Construction Occupations in SW WA
| Occupation | Total Employed | Mean Annual Wages |
| Construction Laborers | 3,035 | $57,700 |
| Carpenters | 2,244 | $72,200 |
| Electricians | 1,935 | $93,300 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 1,921 | $108,600 |
| Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 1,144 | $92,200 |
| Construction Equipment Operators | 999 | $78,700 |
| Painters and Paperhangers | 671 | $55,200 |
| Roofers | 619 | $61,700 |
| Cement Masons, Concrete Finishers, and Terrazzo Workers | 484 | $71,800 |
| Helpers, Construction Trades | 340 | $49,700 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | 283 | $81,300 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | 256 | $117,500 |
| Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers | 246 | $72,700 |
| Carpet, Floor, and Tile Installers and Finishers | 223 | $61,500 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | 197 | $84,400 |
| Insulation Workers | 167 | $75,000 |
| Highway Maintenance Workers | 154 | $62,800 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | 144 | $56,100 |
| Glaziers | 127 | $73,200 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | 116 | $88,600 |
Data Source JobsEQ 2024 Q4
Construction Demographics in SW WA
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Education
Race
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To get involved in our sector panel, receive notices of meetings, or learn more about resources for construction companies, please contact Darcy Hoffman, Director of Business Services. Email Darcy or call at 360.567.3172.
