10 fastest-growing cities for construction jobs in 2025

Published October 16, 2025

Phoenix Arizona AZ Drone Downtown Skyline Aerial

Photo courtesy of https://www.shutterstock.com/

It’s no secret that construction is continuing to boom across the US. Whether it’s transportation, residential, or commercial construction, projects are breaking ground in the most bustling cities. There are some cities that are growing faster than others leading to more opportunities for construction workers. In this article we cover the full list of the fastest growing cities for construction jobs in the US including Houston, Portland, Las Vegas, and Nashville. In addition, we cover what the average construction salary is for each city so you know where the best opportunities lie.

1. Phoenix, Arizona

An all-year-round beautiful climate, affordable cost of living, and pro-business policies create the perfect storm for a real estate boom in Phoenix. Commercial and residential construction is growing, making the city an enticing destination for construction investment.

The average construction worker salary in Phoenix is $47,120 per year. Expanding infrastructure projects and job openings are only going up from here.

Why it’s a top city:

Consistent job security
High wages for even entry-level workers
Strong commercial and residential real estate demand
Increasing infrastructure and transportation projects

2. Salt Lake City, Utah

It’s not the largest city on our list, but it’s one of the most bustling for tradespeople. Salt Lake City has become a hot spot for construction jobs thanks to the steadily increasing population and a growing business environment. The increasing commercial and transportation projects are creating a strong wave of steady work for those in almost any construction role.

Similarly to those in Phoenix, the average yearly pay for construction workers in Salt Lake City is $47,632, and 7% of the population is employed in construction.

Why it’s a top city:

The city is becoming increasingly business-focused
Renewable energy and green construction practices are gaining popularity
Increasing commercial development projects
The cost of living is low compared to the average annual income

3. Nashville, Tennessee

Next up, we have Nashville. This southern city is experiencing a boom in construction jobs due in part to the growing population and increased business growth. The strong demand in commercial spaces and housing has created many stable job opportunities, on both the on-site side and the construction business side.

The average salary for construction workers is $42,596, but Nashville does have worker gaps in all types of positions, so climbing the corporate ladder is more promising than in other areas.

Why it’s a top city:

Steady population growth
Openings in leadership positions
Booming commercial construction scene
Adaptive reuse projects and existing renovations are plenty

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

The city that never sleeps is also the city of endless construction job opportunities. It should be no surprise, as it’s one of the largest hubs for commercial and hospitality construction, thanks to the steady decades of tourism. Las Vegas is home to endless casino expansions, increased housing developments, and new resort builds, making it appealing for construction workers of all types.

The city is always actively pushing for large-scale infrastructure upgrades, and the average construction worker salary is higher, at $51,900.

Why it’s a top city:

Rapid population growth causes a boom in residential construction
Lower cost of living compared to other major tourist cities
The total population employed in construction is 7.4%
Growing commercial real estate and new infrastructure projects

5. Houston, Texas

The cause of the construction job boom in Houston? A little bit of everything. Like many other cities on our list, there’s a growing population with residential construction demand. Infrastructure and commercial projects are also on the rise, driven by the backbone of Houston’s economy, the oil and gas industry.

Houston also has a lower cost of living, so the $46,520 annual salary goes farther than in most cities.

Why it’s a top city:

Large private and public investments in construction projects
The total population construction employment rate is 7.2%
The cost of living is low
The steady oil and gas industry provides a stream of job opportunities

6. Riverside, California

If you’re looking for an enticing city that isn’t quite as big as some of the others on our list, Riverside is perfect. This Southern California city is experiencing significant population growth, which means greater demand for infrastructure and real estate developments. Because it’s close to other major hubs, workers can enjoy the big city perks without all of the hustle and bustle.

As an added bonus, the average salary for a construction worker in Riverside is $62,720, one of the highest on our list. This has attracted many workers to the area making it one of the fastest growing cities for construction jobs in the country.

Why it’s a top city:

Steady residential construction demand
Rising infrastructure expansion
Competitive wages and close to major California hubs
Growing transportation projects

7. Sacramento, California

Sacramento, another popular California construction destination, is seeing an increase in government and urban development construction projects. The sector is receiving the boost thanks to the city’s investment in sustainable development, affordable housing, and revamped public transit.

The cost of living isn’t as steep as some of the other big players on our list, and the average salary for a worker in Sacramento is a generous $62,720.

Why it’s a top city:

Steady growth in residential and commercial projects
Sustainability focus in new projects
Many expansion project opportunities
7.2% of population employed in construction

8. Raleigh, North Carolina

Maybe an unexpectedly fast-growing city, Raleigh is experiencing a boom in the housing market and an upswing in investments in commercial projects. The city is more economically stable than some of the other major hubs, making it an attractive city for those looking for steady construction work.

North Carolina’s low cost of living and growing housing and business demand make it an underrated option on our list. The average salary for a construction worker in Raleigh is $43,300.

Why it’s a top city:

Low cost of living
Rapidly growing economy
Steady population growth and demand for residential construction
Investments in commercial and high-tech projects

9. Portland, Oregon

Portland is one of the leading cities in the US focused on sustainable construction developments and eco-friendly construction. That means there’s an upswing in redevelopment construction, and an increase in the demand for skilled labor.

Infrastructure expansion and resilience projects are also growing, and the average construction worker can expect a salary of around $61,155 per year, making it one of the highest paid cities for construction jobs on the list.

Why it’s a top city:

Growing demand for skilled tradespeople
An increasing number of infrastructure projects
One of the top cities prioritizing net-zero construction
Urban redevelopment is a top priority for the city

10. Denver, Colorado

Denver has long been an attractive place to live, and the demand for residential construction shows no signs of slowing. While the average salary for a general worker is only $37,882, there are many opportunities for advancement and career pivots thanks to the growing demand for skilled labor.

Denver continues to invest in transit and mixed-use development projects, making it an exciting place to settle for construction workers of all types.

Why it’s a top city:

Leading city in smart city initiatives
Growth in public transportation
Increasing real estate development projects
Many wage increase opportunities for workers

Construction employment and spending trends in the US

A chart for construction employment and spending over the past two decades.

Photo courtesy of constructioncoverage.com

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction employment sector took a hard hit with some steep layoffs across the US. While it has recovered some since then, the current hiring rate does not quite meet the construction demand.

Since February 2020, employment has increased only by 2.8%, while the rate of construction spending has risen by a whopping 44.4%. The labor shortage in the AEC space at large stems partly from the current state of the economy, but it’s also a result of a long-term issue and decades of declining training and education resources, according to the Home Builders Institute Labor Report.

The current aging workforce and lack of interest from younger generations continue to widen the rift, but many companies are taking on initiatives to rebrand the industry and attract young, diverse talent for the long term.

Takeaways

If you’re considering a job in construction, you’d be looking at a stable career with great benefits, promotion opportunities, and pay you could live off of easily. Top cities like Phoenix, Denver, and Portland are bustling construction hubs thanks to growing populations and commercial project demands, and it might be wise to take advantage of them and grow your career where the action is.

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