The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) celebrates its annual Women in Construction Week™ from March 2nd to March 8th this year to promote the role of women in the construction industry. This year's theme, 'Together we Rise', celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry.
The last decade has experienced consistent year-over-year growth in the number of women in the construction industry. The most recent data reveals an increase of 56,000 women from 2023 to 2024 upping the total to 1,343,000, or 11.2% of the total workforce. To gain more insight on how women are making strides in the industry as well as what obstacles remain, we have analyzed current data and gathered opinions from top influential women in the construction industry.
Key Findings:
The number of women in construction increased by 45% over the past decade.
39% of women in construction are in leadership roles.
68% of the positions in sales and office are held by women.
The gender wage gap is narrowing, with a 16.8% reduction in just one year.
Women in Construction Week™: Latest Industry Numbers
Year-on-year increase of women in construction over a decade
According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of women in the construction industry has been increasing for the past 10 consecutive years. Between 2015 and 2024, the number rose from 929,000 to 1,343,000, resulting in an overall percentage increase of 44.56%. An additional 56,000 women joined the construction industry in 2024, a 4.35% increase from the previous year.
Like all industries, there are many reasons why women may enter or leave the workforce; however, the continuous positive trend highlights the great work that events like Women in Construction Week™ are playing in growing these numbers. In our conversations with women in the industry, five main factors were identified that they felt contributed to this growth:
Increased Workforce Participation
Whitney Hill, Co-founder and CEO of SnapADU, points to the overall increase in workforce participation saying, “We saw a massive labor shift in the past few years, with many people resigning or stepping away from traditional roles. Now, as many re-enter the workforce, they may be more open to industries they hadn’t previously considered. Construction has remained one of the few fields with a sustained demand for labor.”
Hiring Initiatives
As this demand for labor continues, construction companies are naturally shifting their focus to better hiring initiatives to grow their workforce. Vicky Clemens, Construction Manager at Anthony & Sylvan Pools, points to these initiatives as one of the causes of growth, saying, “Companies have started launching targeted programs to attract more women.” Mandi Kime, Director of Safety at Associated General Contractors of Washington, adds, “I also see more contractors making a concerted effort to recruit women onto their teams and offer more career advancement training and job opportunities.”
Growth Opportunities
In addition to demand and active recruiting by companies, growth opportunities in the construction field are becoming more apparent. Crystal Felch, Superintendent at Greiner Construction, says, “I think the economy could be a factor. Construction is a well paying job, and women are paying more attention to that.” Kime adds, “My non-scientific opinion is that I think that women are seeing opportunities to grow in the trades and to envision themselves starting in the trades and grow into leadership positions.”
More Flexible Roles
Flexibility is often a top priority for women in the workforce, and while construction has traditionally been a rigid industry requiring on-site attendance during set shifts, things are changing. Hill tells us that, “Construction companies have had to adapt to offer more tech-driven roles to stay current. Women are often balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. As construction evolves to incorporate more technology and remote-friendly workflows, women may be able to enter the industry at a faster rate.” Clemens agrees saying, “I also feel workplace flexibility (remote work, flexible scheduling options) has made the industry more accessible to women.”
Social Media Influence
Seeing is believing, and social media influencers can have a huge impact on where women envision themselves. Felch agrees, advising, “I love seeing other women show up on different media platforms. When other women watch these videos on social media, it shows them that women are capable of being in construction, are accepted, and that the job can be fun!”
Women's Representation in Construction Occupations
I think the growth of women in many of these sectors represents an increase in female empowerment and confidence. The demand for women in these roles is important of course, but perhaps even more so is the willingness – and the eagerness – of women to pursue careers in fields they may not traditionally have done so.
Women's Roles Expand Across Construction Sectors
Nearly all sectors of the construction industry experienced growth with women holding roles as compared to 2023. This contrasts sharply with the previous year, which saw declines in several sectors. Management, professional, and related occupations rose by 10,000 women, and sales and office occupations increased the most, adding 39,000 women, a notable turnaround from the previous year’s loss of 26,000. Service occupations grew by 3,000 women, the same as natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations. Only production, transportation, and material moving occupations stayed the same as last year. The experts weighed in with their opinions and identified four main causes behind these growth rates by sector.
Shift in Workforce Dynamics
Changes in the expectations and behaviors of the construction industry are considered to be a main factor in the types of roles that women are seeking. Clemens points to a shift in career preferences, suggesting that there are “many women moving away from corporate work in favor of hands-on, customer-facing roles that allow more job stability.” Hill adds, “This growth reflects a larger shift in the economy. Service roles in construction, such as project coordination, estimating, procurement, and operations management, are critical to keeping projects on track. These positions also tend to be more adaptable for remote or hybrid work, versus a field role.”
Emphasis on Process Improvement
As companies continue to place more emphasis on process improvement, Whitney highlights the notion that women are able to bring a different approach to projects, making them key candidates for these roles. She says, “We’re seeing more companies focus on process improvement in construction, particularly as we work to protect margins. Women are stepping into these roles because they often bring a collaborative approach to streamlining workflows, ensuring projects run smoothly by aligning teams and vendors rather than just relying on outdated ‘this is how we’ve always done it’ methods.”
Post-Pandemic Job Recovery
There are other factors at play too. Post-pandemic job recovery is among them. Women who may have previously been involved in the service sector are now returning to the workforce. As Clemens shares, “Service industries were hit hard during the pandemic, and as businesses recover, there’s been a surge in hiring. Many women who make up a large share of the workforce in these sectors, are returning.”
Workforce Shortages
Workforce shortages affect many industries, and the construction industry is constantly working to lessen their effects. As they do so, aftereffects include better recruitment, greater work-life balance, and more—all of which may be more appealing to women. Clemens concurs, saying, “Industries continue to struggle with labor shortages, leading to more hiring incentives, higher wages, and better working conditions, making service jobs more attractive to women.”
Almost 40% of Women in Construction Are in Leadership Roles
The percentage of women in construction is spread out through various sectors of the construction industry; however, the distribution is far from equal. The majority of women are employed in management, professional, and related occupations. In total, 521,000 (39%) make up this sector. They are followed by 476,000 (35%) women holding positions in sales and office occupations, and 307,000 (23%) women working in natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations. Trailing significantly are the areas of production, transportation, and material moving with only 22,000 (2%) and service occupations even lower at 17,000 (1%).
Male Dominance in Four Out of Five Occupational Areas
When examining women in construction statistics, men still dominate four of the five occupational areas in the construction industry; however, women continue to make gains. In sales and office positions, women hold the majority, at 68%, which is 2% more than the previous year. Service occupations also grew by 1% in 2024, for a total share of 26%. The remainder of the roles remain unchanged from last year.
Opportunities and Challenges for Women in Construction
Women have more opportunities than ever in the construction industry, though challenges still exist. The industry is actively working to attract women due to labor shortages, diversity initiatives, and growing awareness of the benefits of a more inclusive workforce.
The Pay Gap in Leadership Positions Is Closing
The "Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy" by the Center for American Progress outlines several policy recommendations to close the gender pay gap, including raising the minimum wage, implementing pay transparency, enacting paid leave laws, increasing funding for anti-discrimination enforcement, and prohibiting the use of salary history in hiring decisions.
Although there is still work to be done, the pay gap for construction managers continues to narrow, shrinking by 16.8% from 2023 to 2024, according to BLS statistics. As it stands today, women make 98.7% compared to men.
When asked about what is closing the pay gap, transparency comes up often. Felch mentions that, “I think people are being more open with their wages. When women know what the industry standard pay is, they know how much to ask for.” Hill also highlights pay transparency stating, “Awareness is a huge factor, as pay transparency has gained traction across industries. More women are negotiating for themselves, and more companies are being held accountable for pay equity. Also, as more women step into leadership positions, they’re influencing hiring and compensation structures, ensuring pay is based on skills and results.”
Besides transparency, factors such as recruiting and retaining diverse workforces along with pay equity laws and regulations are at play. Clemens says, “Companies may be increasing salaries more to attract and retain a diverse workforce,” and “New pay equity laws and regulations in several states and municipalities may be putting some pressure on employers to standardize salaries.” Kime adds, “I think more organizations are waking up to the pay gap realities and that any recruitment efforts will be quickly lost if the pay gap isn’t addressed.”
Opportunities on the Rise
Regardless of role or trade, there are new opportunities emerging for women in the construction industry. Whether it is leveraging new technology or excelling in a skilled trade, women continue to break barriers and redefine what is possible in the field. Below, we examine several specific and realistic opportunities that are available for those interested in entering or advancing within the construction industry.
Process Automation
Collaboration and coordination are skills that women have traditionally excelled at, and process automation jobs call for these skills. Hill says, “There are huge opportunities, especially in technology and process automation. The construction industry is notoriously slow to adopt new systems, so anyone willing to take the time to understand workflows and apply automation can make a massive impact.”
Vendor Management
Vendor management is another area where collaboration and coordination are highly sought-after skills, lending to opportunities for women. Hill continues, “Women tend to excel at collaboration in ways that drive efficiency. For example, instead of blaming trade partners when issues arise, they are more likely to put in the time upfront to align expectations, onboard vendors properly, and ultimately keep projects moving faster. These soft skills are proving to be some of the most valuable in construction.”
Skilled Trades and Labor Jobs
For women who want a more physical, hands-on role, Clemens suggests opportunities in the field advising, “Skilled trades and labor jobs such as electricians, plumbers, painters, heavy equipment operators, and project managers are offering apprenticeships, training programs, and competitive wages.”
A Role for Everyone
One thing is certain: there are plenty of opportunities for women in the construction industry and there is no need to be pigeonholed. Kime proclaims, “One opportunity we have as women is to show up boldly and make space for others. We have the wonderful opportunity to influence psychological safety and workplace culture just by our mere presence and willingness to be a collaborator and team player.” And Felch reminds women that they can be successful in any role that might be of interest saying, “There are office positions like estimators, pms, safety coordinators. And then in the field there are so many different trades to be a part of, depending on what interests you.”
Challenges Women Face in Construction
Construction is still perceived by many as a “man's job”, which can lead to women being underestimated and overlooked for leadership roles.
Clemens
For over a decade, the number of women in the construction industry has grown. Women continue to take on leadership roles, pay gaps are narrowing, and more opportunities geared towards a better work-life balance are being made available. Despite this progress, however, women in construction still face significant challenges. Whether it be gender bias, lack of visibility, or societal norms, these obstacles can hinder career growth. In order to overcome them and drive change, we must first understand the challenges.
Gender Bias and Stereotypes
Long-standing stereotypes around the construction industry can sometimes fuel a hostile work environment rife with discrimination. Clemens sums it up saying, “Construction sites can sometimes foster environments where women experience exclusion, harassment, and lack of support.”
Even with these obstacles, the experts know improvements can be made. “Progress in this industry doesn’t have to be grand gestures; it’s about consistently making choices that move us in the right direction,” says Hill. For instance, “There are still moments where outdated attitudes show up, like vendors making offhand comments about female employees' appearance in professional settings … I refuse to let that slide. But I also have a company to run and employees to support, which means choosing my battles wisely. Instead of calling out the vendor directly, I make sure my employees know I’m aware of the situation … When possible, we shift to vendors who better align with our values.”
Lack of Visibility
Education, training, and experience are all important to advancing in a career; however, being qualified alone is often not enough. Establishing a network ensures you can learn about new roles, put yourself in front of those responsible for filling the role, and gain recommendations from others you’ve worked with. Hill points to a major obstacle that women face in this area saying, “One of the biggest challenges is lack of visibility and presence in leadership conversations … I notice that men tend to dominate conversations. Even stellar female employees may not always step in as confidently … Further, construction jobs - especially skilled trades - require training and access to a network of connections, as construction often recruits by word of mouth.”
Societal Norms
Construction is still often thought of as a “masculine” field and these long-standing views continue to persist today. These societal norms can be passed down through generations and while the intent may not be to hold women back from learning skills of the trade, the impact is often just that. Felch acknowledges that “More young boys/men are taught construction knowledge than women. It doesn’t mean that women can’t learn as adults, but they don’t have the leg up of having base knowledge. I have also seen that more trust is given early on to men than women.”
Work-Life Balance
Historically, women have had a more difficult time balancing work and life as Kime points out, “Women are still bearing the brunt of childcare and domestic duties, which adds burden outside the workplace and can hamper a woman’s ability to make career advancements.” Optimism exists with advancements in technologies, openness to more flexible roles, and other women out there making it happen. Kime continues on this point, “I still see so many wildly successful women in our industry who are conquering their profession while also being exceptional moms and spouses. I love the message that this sends to young girls, that they can have it all.”
Success Story: Rita Brown
Rita, the CEO of Brown Construction Collective Plus, is one of the most successful women in the construction industry, and in this interview, we dive into her personal journey and accomplishments.
Fixr.com: What attracted you to the construction industry?
Rita: Initially, it was exposure. I spent holidays and summers working in my father's engineering company as a high school student. That gave me a core understanding of the big picture and as I refined my personal way forward, it really was pivotal.
Fixr.com: What is the most fulfilling part of your work, and what is the most challenging?
Rita: Bringing a project from concept to erected structure - that knowledge that you were part of the team and can point with pride to actual tangible buildings is a true point of pride.
Challenges? There are many, if talking about the wholistic process, it would be managing client expectations and making it a point to act rather than react to a dynamic construction process.
Fixr.com: How has the industry changed for women since you started your career?
Rita: In some ways, physically, and Intellectually, technology has been an equalizer. In the field or on the design/detailing side, our gender dexterity and efficiency have proven themselves as game-changers for an industry that must be forward-focused. It's not a question of "we can do it", but rather, "We Are Doing IT"! Fact. There are still significant challenges. For our women In the field, access to advanced training, and cracking the boys club is all still a challenge. Its antiquated attitudes regarding work norms and adapting to a shifting workforce are difficult for some whose investment has always been to retain the status quo because that status quo has been beneficial to previous iterations of our workforce. Change is a challenge, yes. But it is most certainly an opportunity.
Fixr.com: Can you share an accomplishment in your construction career that you’re particularly proud of?
Rita: Serving as a State of MI, Governor appointed, Transportation Commissioner with oversight duties of air, land, and waterways has been an unexpected honor in my career. That and stepping into a hard-won role as President of NAWIC this August, representing women across the spectrum of the industry throughout the United States, is truly an opportunity to have an impact and influence in an industry that must evolve, advance and include tangibly, women.
Fixr.com: Is there anything else you'd like to share to inspire women to pursue a career in the construction industry?
Rita: As a gender and individually, the imperative is to claim our space and our place. Asking permission is not a thing that will get one moving forward. Define goals, assemble a plan, be active in adjusting to landscape adjustments, gear up with knowledge and training, and do the thing that you feel unsure about. It's never about perfection, but about progress.
How to Attract More Women to Construction: Expert Insights
The four women we spoke to shared amazing insights into the trends, opportunities, and obstacles facing women in construction. They also shared their expert opinions on which strategies they believe will help bring even more women into construction roles.
Educate and Engage
Education is a powerful tool to promote change. Felch suggests starting young by “letting kids in elementary school see women in construction and know that it is a good job.” Guiomar Obregón, CEO and Co-Founder of Precision 2000, Inc, adds “Getting involved at the university level and supporting scholarship programs and recruitment efforts targeting women is also important.”
Clemens emphasizes the importance of education, particularly in STEM. She states, “Some strategies that I think could help are STEM programs, encouraging young girls to pursue science, tech, engineering and math (STEM) education at an early age highlighting the career opportunities in construction that blend technical skills with creativity and problem-solving.”
Demystify the Industry
In addition to education, Clemens advocates sending a clear message to the community as a whole. She suggests taking steps towards “Engaging with our communities to promote the idea that construction is a viable and rewarding career path for women. Shift the perception about the industry being a male-dominated field. By combining efforts across education, workplace changes, recruiting strategies, and support systems, the industry can really begin to attract and retain more women in a meaningful way.” Hill agrees reflecting on personal experience, “When I entered real estate development and residential construction, I partnered with men who had direct field experience. But I quickly realized that my skills in operations, strategy, and business development were just as critical to success.”
Normalize Well-being and Work-Life Balance
“I think that organizations need to focus more on total worker health and wellbeing, by embracing all our workforce as complete human beings, not just the work-horse part that shows up to work,” says Kime. She continues, “By supporting all employees with resources to help them live more robust and fulfilling lives, we become an industry of choice.”
In addition to providing resources to employees, creating an environment supportive of a work-life balance is an important step in attracting more women to the industry. Hill offers a few realistic options, including flexibility achieved through the use of tech: “Many roles in construction can be flexible, and companies that embrace tech to enable this will attract more diverse talent.” She provides a specific example of how to put this into practice: “We also utilize tech to stay out of the field when it is not necessary, for instance using virtual mapping software instead of initial site visits. The output is superior and we save hours of transit time each week.” Ultimately, “What matters is getting the work done and meeting deadlines, not the exact hours someone is at their desk. Allowing for flexibility helps attract and retain top talent while keeping our business running efficiently.”
Work-life balance and well-being isn’t just about flexibility around hours, it’s also about recognizing that employees are people with lives and responsibilities outside of their jobs. She reminds us of the importance of being flexible and understanding to all when personal needs arise because, “These small moments matter in making people feel supported in balancing work and family, and as parents, we’ve all been there.”
Support and Inspire
Clemens identifies the important notion of supporting women and inspiring them to consider careers in the construction industry. She recommends that “Companies should foster a workplace culture of inclusivity where diversity is embraced,” and that they should “Organize events where young women can visit construction sites or meet women already in the industry to see firsthand what the work is like.” In addition, she says, “We need to promote female-focused construction events or conferences that highlight women’s contributions to the industry and provide a platform for discussion, learning and support,” specifically noting that “Women in Construction is a great network for this.”
Support for Women in Construction
Support for women in construction is more prevalent today than ever before. There are many organizations that promote gender equality, provide networking and mentorship, support education and training, advocate for policy changes, celebrate women's achievements, and foster inclusivity in the construction industry. The following are some of these organizations:
A Message for Women Starting in the Industry
As the national Women in Construction Week™ is set to kick off, it is exciting to note that the number of women in construction continues to see growth and momentum. With support from multiple organizations along with women already in the industry, significant gains are being made in shrinking the wage gap, shining a light on the industry in general, and opening up more opportunities for women. If you’re considering a role in construction or just starting out, read on for advice from women who have been there themselves!
Start with a niche. It’s much easier to build expertise and credibility in a smaller, well-defined area before expanding. That’s exactly what we did at SnapADU, which allowed us to become a leader in our space of accessory dwelling units. I didn’t come from a construction background, but my ability to see ahead in the market, build scalable workflows, and automate processes has been a game-changer. Believe in yourself. Cliché all day, but it’s so true. One of my favorite quotes on this topic is: ‘Whatever you think you can’t do, just know that there is someone who is confidently doing it wrong right now. They have no plans at doing it better, either, and people are paying them to do it. Please believe in your own excellence as much as they believe in their mediocrity.’ That’s being a woman in construction in a nutshell.
Hill
From my experience as a woman in the construction industry, I would say that persistence and resilience are key. It’s important to stay confident and not let biases or stereotypes hold you back.
Clemens
I have been in the industry for about 7 years, and I knew nothing when I started. I was very lucky to start at a great company that encouraged and supported me throughout my career. Truthfully, I have had very few instances where I feel like I stood out for being a woman in the field. I am sure it is regional, as well as the team you work with. So, if you start at a company and do not feel valued because you are a woman, know that there are other companies out there, and that experience is not universal.
Felch
I will say that we have to do better at not looking at other women in the industry as our competition. A scarcity mindset just leads to more competition between women and makes the workplace less pleasant. What we have to do is embrace and celebrate each other in the workplace knowing that there is room and opportunity for all of us and that opportunity is growing for each of us.
Kime