In short:
- Women are choosing construction at record rates: more than 1.34 million women worked in the industry in 2024, making up 11.2% of the total workforce, the highest share in 20 years.
- Construction pay beats the private-sector average: wages in construction exceed $30 per hour on average, roughly 10% higher than comparable private-sector roles.
- The gender pay gap is smaller in construction than in most industries: women in construction earn approximately 96 cents per dollar compared to male counterparts, versus the 82-cent national average.
- Women are advancing into leadership: more than 521,000 women held management and professional roles in construction in 2024, and women own approximately 13% of all construction firms.
- A once-in-a-generation labor shortage is creating real opportunity: the industry needs hundreds of thousands of new workers annually, and qualified candidates are in demand.
What Does a Career in Construction Mean for Women?
A construction career is not limited to job-site work. Estimating, project management, business development, construction technology, and firm ownership all fall under the industry umbrella. Women make up 11.2% of the construction workforce, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data analyzed by the National Association of Home Builders in 2025, the highest proportion in two decades. More than 521,000 of those women hold roles in management, professional, and related occupations. The industry is still male-dominated in field production, but the management and business side tells a different story.
How Much Can You Earn in the Construction Industry?
If you’re evaluating where to build a career, compensation matters. Construction wages average over $30 per hour, roughly 10% higher than private-sector wages overall. That premium applies across roles, not just the corner office. Estimators, project managers, and business development leads all benefit from it.
Construction also offers a direct link between skill and income. A four-year degree is not required to enter the field. Trade certifications, estimating credentials, and hands-on experience create a clear earning path that grows with your expertise. Senior estimators and project managers regularly earn six figures, and the path there is often faster than in white-collar industries where advancement is tied to org-chart openings.
Is There a Gender Pay Gap in the Construction Industry?
Nationally, women earn about 82 cents per dollar compared to men. In construction, that number improves significantly. A 2022 FMI report found women in construction earn approximately 96 cents per dollar compared to male counterparts, compared to the 82-cent cross-industry average.
The gap varies by role and isn’t uniform across the industry. But the overall picture is meaningfully better than most industries, and it’s narrowing. For construction managers specifically, data from NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) shows the pay gap shrank significantly between 2023 and 2024, making management one of the more equitable paths in the field.
Can Women Build a Career and Excel in Construction?
Women own approximately 13% of construction firms in the United States, a figure that represents a 94% increase since 2007. Of women-owned firms, 9% generate revenues exceeding $500,000. That kind of growth reflects a structural change in who is entering, staying in, and leading the industry.
The pipeline is building in real time. Organizations like NAWIC offer mentorship programs, chapter networks, and career resources designed for women at every stage. The visibility of women in senior roles is growing, which matters, because representation in leadership creates clearer advancement paths for everyone coming up behind them.
PlanSwift by ConstructConnect knows women are playing larger roles in the construction industry and celebrate this trend.
Which Construction Roles are Growing Fastest for Women?
The roles with the fastest growth for women are skills-based, accessible to career-changers, and don’t require field experience to start. Estimating and project management are two of the strongest entry points.
| Role | Core Skills | Common Advancement Path |
|---|---|---|
| Estimating | Blueprint reading, quantity takeoff, bid preparation | Senior Estimator, Chief Estimator |
| Project Management | Scheduling, budget oversight, subcontractor coordination | Senior PM, VP of Operations |
| Business Development | Client relationships, proposal writing, precon | Director of Business Development, Principal |
| Construction Technology | Software implementation, process improvement, training | Technology Lead, Digital Delivery Manager |
These roles also attract professionals crossing over from adjacent industries. A background in finance, logistics, operations, or engineering translates directly into construction and often accelerates advancement.
What Barriers Do Women Still Face in Construction?
Progress is real, but so are the challenges. A 2021 NAWIC survey found that the top challenge women in construction face is a lack of respect from peers, and 10 out of 12 construction professionals interviewed by NAWIC reported experiencing some form of workplace discrimination.
Culture varies significantly by company and region. Firms with visible female leadership tend to have stronger outcomes. Targeting roles in estimating, project management, and operations, where culture gaps tend to be smaller than in the field, and joining professional networks early both reduce friction.
The industry-wide labor shortage is also accelerating change. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) estimated the industry needed approximately 439,000 net new workers in 2025 alone. When demand is that high, qualified candidates carry leverage. The current moment is genuinely different from even a decade ago, and companies competing for talent are more motivated to retain the people they hire.
How Can You Get Started?
Estimating is one of the most accessible entry points into construction, and it’s increasingly digital. Takeoff and estimating tools like PlanSwift® are used by thousands of contractors to measure blueprints, calculate material quantities, and build accurate bids faster than manual methods allow. Whether you’re an experienced estimator or just stepping into the field, knowing the tools your company relies on is one of the fastest ways to demonstrate value from day one.
Schedule a demo to see PlanSwift in action on a real estimating project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What percentage of construction workers are women?
Women made up 11.2% of the construction workforce in 2024, totaling approximately 1.34 million workers, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That share is the highest it has been in at least 20 years and has grown every year since 2012.
Is construction a good career for women?
Yes. Construction offers above-average pay, a narrower gender pay gap than most industries, and growing opportunities in management and firm ownership. Women hold more than 521,000 management and professional roles in the industry and own about 13% of all construction companies.
What is the gender pay gap in construction?
Women in construction earn approximately 96 cents per dollar compared to male counterparts, according to a 2022 FMI report, compared to roughly 82 cents nationally. The gap varies by role and has been narrowing in construction management positions in recent years.
What construction jobs are best for women starting out?
Estimating, project coordination, and business development are strong entry points. They are skills-based, accessible to career-changers, and offer a clear path to senior leadership. Field experience is not required to start in these roles.
What is NAWIC?
NAWIC stands for National Association of Women in Construction. It is a professional organization that supports women entering and advancing in construction through mentorship, networking, and advocacy. Membership provides access to chapter events, career resources, and a national professional community.
Does a construction career require a college degree?
No. Many construction careers, including estimating and project coordination, are accessible through trade programs, construction management certificates, or on-the-job training. A four-year degree can accelerate some paths into management, but it is not universally required. Several apprenticeship programs offer paid entry-level pathways into the industry.