Construction is generally seen as men’s work, however, in 2018 9.9% of the industry consisted of women. Our US workforce is made up of 47 percent women; that may seem to be a pretty low number. Whether this gap is about gender bias or lack of training for females in the industry, women in construction still work very hard to make their way in the field today. With the construction industry netting 21,000 jobs in June 2019 alone, it may be time for women to look closer at the construction industry for future job opportunities.
The Statistics of Women in Construction Statistics
Before embarking on the adventure of joining construction workers in the industry, women may want to know a few numerical facts in order to access their options. Here’s a list of important facts:
Employment rate
In 2018 almost 10% of the construction industry was women, 87% of these women were in office and project management positions while 13% were getting their hands dirty. Even in fields stereotypically female, like housekeeping, men make up about 12% of the industry, thus making 10% a little leaner. This may be due to construction seems more suited to male interest, however, that is just not the case.
Wage gap
In April 2019 it was estimated that women earn 80.7 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. In April 2017 it was reported that women in construction make 95.7 cents to every man’s dollar; one of the highest growing industries for women bridging the gender wage gap in the US. This could due to the unionization of construction jobs and their efficiency when making sure jobs have equal pay.
A decrease in women working
In 2007, the recession didn’t do many people any favors; especially a number of women. Throughout the 1980s young women working in construction had become much more common, however, in 2007, their role in the field saw a steady decrease. Recently, women engaged in the workforce has been on the rise.
Showing usefulness in management
Between 2007 and 2018 the industry saw a 94% growth of women with great skill sets owning firms in the construction industry. These firms also had very high revenues. Because of that construction is very much in need of female leaders as construction managers, executive, and CEO roles. 44% of the top one hundred contracting companies have women in leadership roles!
Tips for Women in Construction
If you are trying to join the working ranks of women in the industry, there are many details to consider. We recommend the following tips to excel in the field:
- Get your hands dirty – When it comes to any job, people in the labor positions give more respect to their supervisors when they are willing to do the same jobs if they have too.
- Keep tabs on your goals – In order to get ahead in the industry, everyone needs to prove their worth. Keep track of the numbers associated with your job so that you can set personal goals to better them.
- Stand out – There’s nothing wrong with being yourself and a woman who knows what she wants. Using skill sets others in the industry may not have is an asset. That’s what people and contractors will remember.
- Stay educated – Take apprenticeship programs and training programs to keep in tune with your industry. Especially if you’re not ‘working on the ground.’ Knowing those little details will help you excel.
- Allow yourself to be helped – It’s not that you can’t do it all, but there will come a time when having help really plays a role in your continued success. In a male-dominated industry, it doesn’t hurt to have someone to help bring you to the table.
- Build up other women – The National Association of Women in Construction is built on the idea of encouraging women and their work in the industry. In order to bring more women into the field, we need to embolden and inspire. Doing so will allow those who are already working hard to make a difference!
Train for Safety with Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging
One of the most important aspects of a construction site is making sure the project has safe rigging practices and procedures. If you’re interested in being in the construction industry, you can do your Osha rigging certification with our team at Silver State Wire Rope and Rigging. Contact us today to learn more!
