From electricians and framers to project managers, interior designers and more, women nationwide are finding rewarding careers in the home building industry. They are shaping neighborhoods and the future of the trades one house at a time.
This month, celebrate the role of women within the industry during NAHB’s Professional Women in Building Week from Sept. 15–19. It’s an opportunity to recognize the vital contributions women make and to celebrate growing momentum toward a more diverse workforce.
More Women are Joining the Trades
Residential construction offers women competitive pay, hands-on work and the ability to make a visible impact in their communities. With roughly 245,000 open construction jobs nationwide each month and half of all workers in the field earning at least $60,320 annually, according to NAHB analysis, more women are choosing the trades as a pathway to stable, rewarding careers.
The number of women in the trades is rising, with nearly 500,000 more women in the industry now than 15 years ago. After the Great Recession, the number of women working in construction dropped by nearly 30% to 807,000 in 2010. Since then, the industry has rebounded by employing about 970,000 women in 2017 and hitting a record 1.3 million women employed in 2023.
However, there’s still work to be done. Women currently make up only about 11% of the overall construction workforce, up from 9.1% in 2017, and 4% of hands-on construction and maintenance roles. As the need for skilled labor continues, expanding opportunities for women in these high-demand fields is essential. As you celebrate the women shaping the field this month, recognize their growing roles within the industry and the progress that’s still to come.
Explore Job Training Programs and Industry Resources
For women interested in beginning a career in the trades, your local home builders association is a valuable resource. Many offer connections to regional workforce development programs, job training opportunities, and potential employers.
Whether entering the field through an apprenticeship or following a college degree, there are multiple pathways for women to build successful, long-term careers. Women in high school or college can get a head start through NAHB Student Chapters, which offer hands-on learning and industry connections. NAHB also partners with SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit focused on closing the skilled labor gap through workforce development, and with the Association for Career and Technical Education, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to preparing youth and adults for career success through technical education.
Explore these resources today to find the right pathway for you or the women in your community. Don’t forget to show your support this month for the women making an impact in the trades and celebrate Professional Women in Building Week!