U.S. Construction Jobs on the Rise: Top Cities for Skilled Workers Revealed

Phoenix, Raleigh, and Austin lead the nation in construction opportunities 

The U.S. construction industry is off to a strong start in 2025, with total spending climbing to $2.2 trillion, a 2% increase from 2024. Alongside this growth, the job market is expanding, adding 96,000 new construction jobs this year, up 1.2% from the previous year.  

With demand on the rise, Astrak, a leading global supplier of undercarriage and wear parts for heavy machinery, analyzed which U.S. cities offer the best opportunities for construction workers. Their ranking considered several factors, including the share of local employment in construction, year-over-year job growth, new housing units authorized per 1,000 existing homes, and median construction salaries.  

Based on these criteria, the top five cities for construction workers are:  

City  

Percent of Employment in Construction  

YoY Change in Construction Employment  

New Housing Units Authorized per 1,000 Existing Homes  

Median Wage for Construction Employees  

Total Points (out of 100)  

  1. Phoenix  

8.4%  

6.9%  

21.4  

$55,438  

86.68  

2. Raleigh  

8.4%  

5.5%  

28.8  

$50,802  

79.19  

3. Austin  

7.7%  

6.4%  

28.6  

$50,799  

76.69  

4. Sacramento  

9.3%  

2.8%  

11.9  

$66,261  

75.03  

5. Indianapolis  

6.7%  

6.4%  

12.6  

$65,375  

66.70  

Phoenix  

Phoenix takes the top spot as the best city for construction employees, with 8.4% of its workforce in the industry, tied for the second-highest share overall. The city also leads the nation in year-over-year construction job growth at 6.9%, fueled in part by large-scale projects like the planned $7 billion Halo Vista development. With 21.4 new housing units authorized per 1,000 existing homes and a median construction wage of $55,438, Phoenix offers both opportunity and stability for workers.  

Raleigh  

Ranked second, Raleigh also boasts 8.4% of its workforce in construction, tying it with Phoenix for the second-highest percentage. Its construction employment grew 5.5% year over year, placing it fifth among U.S. cities, and major projects like the $1 billion Raleigh Sports and Entertainment District are driving further momentum. Raleigh tops the nation in housing growth with 28.8 new units per 1,000 existing homes, and workers earn a median wage of $50,802.  

Austin  

Austin ranks third for construction employees, with 7.7% of its workforce in the industry, placing it seventh nationwide. The city recorded a 6.4% year-over-year increase in construction jobs, the second highest of any city on the list, driven in part by major initiatives like the $7.1 billion Project Connect Light Rail. With 28.6 new housing units per 1,000 existing homes, the second highest overall, and a median wage of $50,799, Austin remains a prime destination for construction professionals.  

Calum Mair, Commercial Director at Astrak U.S., commented on the findings:    

“Construction is in a healthy place right now. Cities like Phoenix, Raleigh, and Austin are seeing steady growth, with plenty of work and good pay on offer. For skilled tradespeople, it is a great time to be in the industry – there is demand, stability, and room to build a proper career.   

Our U.S. distribution network is fully stocked to ensure construction companies have immediate access to the critical machinery parts needed to keep their projects running and America thriving.”  

 

For more insights on the state of construction employment, visit astrak.com.