FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
News

Women Hold Very Few Construction Jobs

By Scott Gibson

Women have made virtually no progress in breaking into the construction industry over the last three decades and now make up only 2.6% of the workforce, according to a new report from the National Women’s Law Center.

Despite gains in many other industries, there are 206,000 women working in construction compared to 7.6 million men. White, non-Hispanic women make up 2% of all construction workers; while Hispanic women account for 0.4%; African-American women 0.2%; and Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaskan Native each at 0.1% of the total.

For all occupations, women make up 47.2% of the U.S. workforce.

Women make up just 1% of the country’s nearly 1.4 million carpenters, and 1.5% of the 727,000 supervisors of construction and extraction workers. Most seem to be in office positions rather than working in the field as skilled and unskilled labor where wages are higher.

“This concentration only serves to reinforce the notion that women belong in clerical, traditionally female positions, as oppose to physical, traditionally male, construction positions,” the report says. “And office clerks in the construction industry make less on average than construction laborers.”

Here are some other findings:

  • Women are underrepresented in federal construction apprenticeships, and women also were less likely to complete their apprenticeships than men. Between 2006 and 2007, 51% of women left their apprenticeships compared with 46% of men. In carpentry apprenticeships, 70% of the women who were enrolled left.
  • Women make less money than men in construction, $654 in an average week, or about 89% of the $736 paid to male workers. That’s better than the wage gap in other areas. In the workforce as a whole, women make 77 cents on the dollar compared with their male counterparts, a gap which adds up to $464,000 in a 40-year career. The disparity is even worse for Hispanic women and African-American women. The differences make construction jobs valuable for women workers.
  • A variety of other “dirty and dangerous” jobs have shown much higher rates of growth for women workers than construction, including law enforcement, corrections, firefighting, and meat cutting.

The report also includes a number of personal accounts from women who were belittled and harassed on the job.

“I loved the work, but the hostility and discrimination I faced every day on the job shocked me,” one welder wrote. “On the construction site, men don’t see you as a plumber or as an electrician — they only see you as a woman who shouldn’t be there. They give you a hard time to press you to quit. Women are groped, grabbed, and relentlessly harassed. A lot of women leave the job before a year is out. It’s just too stressful.”

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. KatyNikol | Jun 19, 2014 08:23am | #1

    This is a great article! Women should opt for more construction related jobs : )
    Katy

  2. User avater
    Dreamcatcher | Jun 23, 2014 08:55am | #2

    According to my multi-decade career in the construction trades, this article contains a lot of B.S. feminist propaganda that has skewed statistical data and misguided reasonings.

    To start, it seems to decide that it is the fault of men that there are so few women in the trades. The fact is that the trades are equally open to women but trades based manual labor jobs are simply less desirable to women. Don't blame it on the men in the field - blame it on parenting and societal norms instead. Sure, that can change but it takes some severe shifts in the social paradigm. Just look how long it has taken in less physical career fields.

    Now, before anyone flies off the handle just because I hinted to the demanding physicality in the construction trades lets just be rational for a minute and consider the statistics of the issue. Fact: most construction trades require strength and/or stamina. While there are plenty of women out there who could certainly show up some many of the trades'men' there are statistically fewer women who could out lift a man's load. I am not being chauvinistic, I am just pointing out an often overlooked aspect of the issue.

    The 'Personal Account' given was simply insulting to the trades in general and I am skeptical that it is even a true account. In my experience, women on job sites are treated much better than fellow male workers. Often the women will be given the "mother" role over male groups of workers or in some cases may become the "work wife" as a subtly dominant part of a work relationship. Never in all my years have I seen any of the hostilities toward a female worker as described.

    In fact, women workers are treated so kindly on job sites that I believe it is the root of their lack of equal pay. The majority of business owners, foremen, project managers, crew leaders and job bosses that I have met are married men who have children of their own and are generally chivalrous in nature. In being so, I have noticed that women are treated differently. Less physicality is demanded of them. Mistakes are more easily overlooked. The lack of necessary skills is more allowed. Thus, the level of 'babying' provided lends to less responsibilities given and hence a lesser level of pay. Now, I am no scientist or statistition but that's my view of the situation based on years of first hand experience so take it for what it's worth.

    I think promoting women in any career field great. But doing it in the way it is depicted in this article is purely despicable. For one last instance just look at the way they compare trade work to "law enforcement, corrections, firefighting, and meat cutting" jobs. With the possible exception of meat cutting, I don't think those are anywhere near comparable to say carpentry. Carpenters are not considered "heroes" by most nor do carpenters inherently carry a level of authority as an officer of any sort. It's apples to oranges and it's not going to help the disparity until we as a society can decide that skilled trades in general are honorable and respectable career fields instead of a fallback to college.

    When the day comes that we finally realize that the guy (or gal) up in the steel risking his life and busting his butt in the sun, rain, wind and snow just to provide air conditioned offices for some desk jockeys is a hero of American industrialism and the everlasting symbol of "Made in America" then maybe we will see more women flocking to become a hero too.

    DC

    1. CareyE | Mar 13, 2021 11:11am | #4

      As a woman who has worked off and on as a carpenter for years I've had nearly all of the experiences described here: every thing from overly chivalrous or "Mom," to an idiot who asked me a few days ago "if I go on those women's liberation marches" when I stated a couple of facts that anyone with an IQ over room temperature could have said. Or an accomplished gentleman who pretended not to understand a quick sketch and continued the charade when in exasperation I finally handed him a printed out 3-D drawing from a manufacturer's website.

      The only exception is being groped as anyone who knows me knows my skills with a saw plus my co-workers have my back just like I have theirs. After all I work just as hard as they do and respect is a two-way street.

      At the end of the day I just love what I do and if the toxic testosterone gets to me I add another layer to an already thick skin.

      Would love to see more women out in the field.

  3. floridagale | Jun 30, 2014 05:09am | #3

    I'm a woman. I'm in construction. Been in construction for 20+ years. And i don't ride a desk! Own my own company. Although I've had a few women work for me over the many years, here or there, fact is women in the trades or who want to be in the trades are few and far between, so I have male employees. Wish I had women because we're so much more detail-oriented as a rule.
    The occasional woman who's worked for me (generally as a sub or with a sub's company) has been white. Have yet to find a non-white woman who wants to work in construction... physically work. And that's just the way it's been. I know a few other women contractors and architects, but please find me some good women-power that Want to work and are willing to stay in for the long haul and send them my way.
    As for discrimination against my sex, I don't think I've experienced it. Except in the early 50s in elementary school, when the school wouldn't let me take shop.
    By the way... who wrote the "report"? anyone reliable? and who did they survey? etc.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More News

View All
  • Wood-Fiber Insulation Launch Planned for 2022—The First of its Kind in North America
  • Come to Our Annual Party in Las Vegas and Support #KeepCraftAlive
  • NWFA is Making Sweeping Changes to Their Wood-Flooring Installation Guidelines
  • This Hat Provides Scholarships for Skilled Tradespeople
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Exterior Materials for a Midcentury Home

Travis talks with the architect about his thought process for choosing the materials that create a functional and seamless aesthetic for this house.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 599: Trees Moving Buildings, Epic Thermal Bypasses, and Supplemental Dehumidification
  • Remodeling Done Right
  • Podcast 598: Stone Foundations, Failing Stucco, and Comfortable Garages
  • Podcast 597: Fish-Mouthed Sheathing Tape, Window Installation, and Flashing a Bay Window

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • Podcast 599: Trees Moving Buildings, Epic Thermal Bypasses, and Supplemental Dehumidification
  • Podcast 598: Stone Foundations, Failing Stucco, and Comfortable Garages
  • Podcast 597: Fish-Mouthed Sheathing Tape, Window Installation, and Flashing a Bay Window
  • Podcast 595: Raised Floor Systems, Carriage House Conversion, and LED Strip Lighting
View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Complete 3rd Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency
  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in