Construction jobs' big pay raises make trades the 'it' career in 2026 - USA Today

What the report says

USA Today reported that construction has become one of the strongest-paying career moves in 2026, citing an ADP analysis of payroll transaction data covering more than 14.8 million workers over a 12-month span. According to the report, workers who changed jobs into or within construction have generally received larger pay gains than job-switchers in other sectors since August 2023, with only brief exceptions in February and March 2026 when natural resources pay growth temporarily led.

The ADP data cited by USA Today showed construction job-changers posted 12.9% year-over-year pay growth in June. Their median gross pay was above $59,100, compared with $43,200 for all workers who switched jobs that month. Nela Richardson, ADP’s chief economist and head of research, framed the trend as evidence that skilled trades can offer a strong earnings path at a time when many Americans are reassessing the cost and value of college.

The report attributed the pay surge largely to worker shortages. ADP said construction employment has expanded faster than overall job growth for years, but demand has continued to exceed the available labor pool. USA Today also cited Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing construction had among the strongest employment gains from 2014 to 2024 outside the broad trade, transportation and utilities category.

USA Today reported that retirements and major projects such as data centers are adding pressure. ADP data show the median age of several trades, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters and HVAC workers, has fallen since 2020 as older workers leave. ADP expects continued demand, with apprenticeships and training programs growing; it said new hires have risen from 3.6% of construction employment from 2019 to 2025 to 4.6% so far this year.