The union membership rate–the percent of all workers who were members of unions—for the construction industry was 10.3 percent in 2024, down from last year when it was 10.7 percent according to an annual report released January 28, 2024, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Union representation in the industry also declined, from 11.4 to 11.2 in 2024. In 2024 total construction employment fell by 26,000 but union membership fell by 38,000. Despite the decrease, the construction industry remains an industry with one of the highest unionization rates and is considerably higher than the 5.9 percent across all industries in the private sector. The report contains information comparing the earnings of union members and nonunion members as well as proving union affiliation by state.
It is important to note that when considering BLS industry data, the data cover surveyed employees at all levels and classifications, including personnel who are not typically organized, such as office staff. Additionally, the data cover all sectors of the industry, including single-family home builders and home improvement firms which are typically more nonunion than other sectors of the industry. Accordingly, the data may be better relied upon for portrayal of trends over time than for providing accurate data on union affiliation in commercial construction at a specific time.