As we bid summer farewell and look ahead to a bipartisan infrastructure plan to jump-start economic development, Associated Builders and Contractors honors our workforce and the industry that provides 724,500 Texas citizens with long-term, well-paying careers this Labor Day. These workers are in high demand and essential to our nation’s prosperity.
ABC estimates that, even before a sweeping federal infrastructure investment is passed, the construction industry needs to hire a staggering 430,000 workers this year alone. Construction offers endless opportunities for talent to enter the industry from multiple pathways and achieve career dreams that are only limited by other own potential. With competitive salaries, even entry-level construction occupation wages are at or above $15 per hour, with average hourly earnings at nearly $33 per hour and experienced construction professionals like quality assurance managers earning more than $85,000 per year.
Not only are the skill sets essential and pay competitive, but contractors also invest in their people, with earn-while-you-learn educational models providing immediate access to wages plus essential industry upskilling. ABC contractor members invested $1.3 billion in workforce development initiatives in 2020, providing craft, leadership, and safety education to 500,000 course attendees to advance their careers in commercial and industrial construction.
At the local level, Texas has the second largest number of construction workers in the country, and they are in high demand, essential, and invaluable to Texas’ prosperity.
To learn more about career opportunities in construction this Labor Day, visit www.workforce.abc.org.
