Median Age Of U.S. Construction Workforce

Analysis of the most recent 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) data provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that the median age of construction workers is 41, the same as typical worker in the national labor force. Residential construction has been adding jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, finding and retaining skilled labor remains a challenge in 2021. Of course, the average age is obtained by taking all 50 states and the District of Columbia and adding and dividing. States with the oldest median age of construction workers (47 years old) are Maine, followed by New Hampshire (46 years old) and West Virginia, where the median age of construction workers is 45. Construction workers are younger on average in the central part of the nation. Half of all construction workers in North Dakota and Alaska are under 36, while in Oklahoma and Utah half are under 38. The ACS data also allow analyzing median age by occupations. Construction occupations with younger workers include helpers, construction trades, and solar photovoltaic installers. Older workers are concentrated in managerial positions such as inspectors, construction supervisors, and construction managers.