Women in Workplace: Thriving in Non-Traditional Careers
Each year, the month of March is set aside to celebrate the accomplishments of women. In the U.S., it’s National Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day is a global event every March 8. As we pause to reflect on the storied contributions females have made, especially the accomplishments of women in the workplace, it’s important we maintain our focus on further progress. In pushing the boundaries of inclusion and gender equality in career opportunities, we must take bigger steps and bolder action – especially when it comes to non-traditional or male-dominated industries.
One such example is the construction industry and, as you’ll see, the data and statistics reveal it’s a business sector brimming with promise.
Hard Hat Facts
According to readily available data from the U.S. Department of Labor, women comprise 47% of America’s workforce. Yet in the male-dominated construction industry, there are approximately 1.3 million women in all positions, skilled or otherwise, which only accounts for 11.2% of the workforce. It’s a lopsided statistic, especially when you consider the industry continues to face a prolonged and well-documented labor shortage.
While this is due to multiple factors, evidence reveals a significant portion of the construction workforce is aging out into retirement. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the industry’s leading trade organization, has stated that 500,000 employees will be needed to meet the rising demand. If more female inclusion is the ultimate goal, the opportunity before us is wide open.
An Inflection Point?
Despite troubling workforce and labor statistics, recent data also reveals positive signs that more women than ever are seeking construction careers, with consistent year-over-year growth for the past decade. From 2015 to 2024, there was a 44.5% increase in female employment, the biggest jump occurring between 2023 and 2024 – which saw an increase of 56,000 new workers.
Drilling down further, the numbers show growth is occurring at all levels of experience, not just entry level positions. According to the National Women in Construction (NAWIC), females in management and professional occupations rose by 10,000, sales and office roles increased by 39,000, and service-related occupations grew by 3,000. For the construction industry, it’s becoming clear that advocacy, educational programs, apprenticeships, and initiatives designed to recruit more women in the workplace are working.
Some Convincing Arguments…
When it comes to recruiting more young women into the male-dominated construction industry, there are plenty of convincing arguments to make, not the least of which is a razor-thin gender pay gap. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), women in construction make 98.7% of what men make. Contrast that figure with the national average across all industries, where females earn 84 cents for every dollar males earn. Women aren’t exactly at the bottom of the totem pole either, as nearly half of all females who work in construction occupy leadership and managerial positions.
Then there’s the income potential to consider, as the average salaries for experienced workers – even for those who lack a secondary education – are an attractive proposition. Just to provide a few concrete examples, project coordinators are currently averaging $90,000 per year, drone operators make $82,000, brick masons earn $80,000, tower crane operators net $77,000, and electricians earn $58,000. Earning potential of this magnitude makes a convincing argument for more women to pursue financially independent and sustainable careers that lead to economic self-sufficiency.
Overcoming Stereotypes
Far too many women continue to avoid careers in male-dominated industries due to gender stereotypes, fear of discrimination, a lack of support, and the lack of awareness of the careers that exist. Generationally speaking, women have an obvious right to their views, but while progress may feel slow, changes in behavior and attitudes within the industry are continuing to evolve for the better.
According to a recent survey from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), 90% of female respondents shared that their male counterparts did in fact treat them with respect. Furthermore, 80% of the respondents stated that they love their job, and 70% reported having had the opportunity for career advancement in the last year.
As we continue to help women in the workplace reach their full career potential, we need to instill in them the belief that no industries are off-limits – especially male-dominated professions. To achieve effective results, this effort is going to require even more education, more engagement, more outreach, and more advocacy. Those who work in commercial construction should take actionable steps to demystify their industry, so that they may attract, recruit, and retain more women in the workplace.
While it’s undeniable that progress has been made, we still owe it to women to continue to do better. Construction happens to be a non-traditional industry that could benefit from welcoming a lot more pink hard hats on the job.
About the Author
Name: Keller Hayes
Professional Title: Director, Transportation & Construction GIRL™
Bio: Keller Hayes is the director of Transportation & Construction GIRL, a pioneering nonprofit that provides education, real-world training, and hands-on experiences that encourage young women explore financially sustainable and rewarding careers in non-traditional industries.
Website: constructiongirl.org
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