The construction industry is at a crossroads. While demand for housing and infrastructure remains high, rising interest rates, labor shortages, and economic uncertainty are slowing that momentum. Amid these mixed signals, attention is turning to the construction workforce: where it’s growing, and where it could face even more setbacks.
In the 2025 edition of their Cities With the Most Construction Workers report, researchers at Construction Coverage examine where construction jobs are most concentrated, which roles are most common across the industry, and which local economies may be most vulnerable to construction slowdowns.
Key Findings for Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- As of 2024 (the latest data available), the Charlotte metro has a total of 78,715 construction industry employees.
- Overall, construction jobs make up 6.7% of all employment in the Charlotte metro—0.6 percentage points higher than the national average (6.1%).
How Many People Work in the U.S. Construction Industry?
There are approximately 8.1 million Americans employed in construction, accounting for 6.1% of private-sector employment
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
As of December 2024, about 8.1 million Americans work in construction, accounting for 6.1% of private-sector employment. While this marks a strong recovery from the lows of the Great Recession, the sector has yet to return to pre-2008 levels.
Construction employment declined sharply following the housing market crash, reaching a low point in early 2011 when it accounted for just 4.8% of private-sector jobs—the lowest level in over 30 years. Since then, the sector has gradually regained ground, supported by sustained demand for housing and infrastructure projects.
