New York Construction Report staff writer
New York’s construction industry continues its recovery from pandemic-era disruptions, with the statewide workforce reaching 568,000 workers in 2024, according to a Workforce Snapshot report from the New York Building Congress. This represents a 97.9 per cent recovery to pre-pandemic employment levels of 585,000.
The construction workforce includes workers engaged in building and infrastructure projects, design, site preparation and excavation, governmental construction activities, and consulting on construction-related work, based on 2024 American Community Survey data.
The report projects a return to pre-pandemic workforce levels by the end of 2027. However, it notes that earlier projections had anticipated a faster recovery. It cites ongoing market uncertainty, including tariff policy changes and government funding variability, as factors affecting workforce stability and forecasting.
In New York City, the construction labour force increased from 247,000 workers in 2023 to 253,000 in 2024. City residents account for 73 per cent of the workforce, or 185,000 workers. New York City represents 45 per cent of all construction workers in the state.
The report highlights continued growth in workforce diversity. Statewide, 45 per cent of construction workers identify as non-White, unchanged from 2023. In New York City, 66 per cent of workers identify as non-White, also unchanged from the previous year.
White non-Hispanic workers represent 55 per cent of the statewide construction workforce, while Hispanic workers account for 31 per cent, representing nearly 177,000 workers, up from 167,900 in 2023.
In New York City, Hispanics represent the largest share of the workforce at 44 per cent, followed by White non-Hispanics at 34 per cent, Black non-Hispanics at 10 per cent, and Asian/Other at 8.7 per cent.
The report also shows continued progress in workforce age distribution. Statewide, 45.4 per cent of workers are between the ages of 25 and 45, while 34.7 per cent are 50 or older. Workers under the age of 25 account for 8 per cent of the workforce, up from 7.5 per cent in 2023.
In New York City, 48.5 per cent of workers are between 25 and 45, while 31.9 per cent are 50 or older. Workers under 25 account for 6.2 per cent of the workforce.
Language data shows English is spoken by 58 per cent of construction workers statewide, down from 60 per cent in 2023. Spanish is spoken by 28 per cent, up from 26 per cent. No other primary language exceeds 2 per cent statewide.
In New York City, English is spoken by 40.9 per cent of workers, while Spanish is spoken by 35.5 per cent. Chinese-speaking workers represent 3.5 per cent of the workforce, up from 3 per cent the previous year.
On income, 60.2 per cent of the statewide construction labour force reported household incomes of $100,000 or above in 2024, with 48 per cent reporting incomes above $125,000. In New York City, 59.7 per cent reported incomes over $100,000, and 47.1 per cent reported incomes above $125,000.
About 19 per cent of construction workers statewide earned over $100,000 in 2024, up from 17.5 per cent in 2023. In New York City, 21 per cent earned over $100,000.
It also notes that 12 per cent of women in the statewide workforce earned over $125,000, compared to 10 per cent of men. In New York City, 15 per cent of women earned over $125,000, compared to 11 per cent of men.
