The face of the skilled trades field is changing. Long dominated by men, skilled trades like construction work are seeing a rise in women entering these industries, especially as Gen Z and younger generations turn their eyes on these careers. Young women see potential for career stability and growth in construction, and it’s been a trend for the past decade.
The Rise in Women in the Construction Industry
More and more women are finding jobs and opportunities in the field of construction. In 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 929,000 women working in the construction industry, making up only 10% of the workforce, but those numbers shifted in the following 10 years. By 2025, the number of women working in construction had jumped by 47%, compared to the increase in men in construction which was 19% between 2015 and 2025.
And we’re seeing this spike in numbers across the different occupations within the industry.
In August 2025, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research released a report breaking down which construction jobs are seeing the biggest shift in demographics. Almost every area saw double-digital growth and many of them saw much, much more.
There are a number of factors contributing to this growth:
- AI and the economic landscape — This is obviously a more recent development, but even before AI started being implemented everywhere, Gen Z was already being called the “toolbelt generation.” A rough job market, sky-high college costs, and the prospect of white-collar jobs disappearing is pushing workers to look for more stable, more recession-proof occupations like construction.
- Advocacy and apprenticeships — The work of the National Association of Women in Construction, Tradeswoman Inc., and other organizations has boosted the visibility of construction jobs and helped support more accessible education, apprenticeship, and training opportunities for women.
- Labor shortages and earning potential — The need for new workers in the construction industry is sky-high, and the fact that many of these jobs can be accessed without a degree and tens of thousands of dollars in student debt is extremely appealing. It offers women the chance to make a solid starting salary with the potential for growth as they gain experience.
Where Women Are Making the Most Impact in Construction
The construction industry is complex, with a lot of different job paths and roles, and they aren’t all seeing the same growth in female employees.
Per the BLS data for 2025, this how the career areas rank:
- Office and administrative support occupations: 35%
- Management, business, and financial operations occupations: 31%
- Construction and extraction occupations: 21%
- Professional and related occupations: 7%
- Sales and related occupations: 2%
- Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations: 1%
- Service occupations: 1%
- Transportation and material moving occupations: 1%
- Production and protective service occupations: 1%
Those numbers don’t tell the whole picture, though. While office and administrative jobs currently hold the largest share of female workers in construction, it’s not necessarily the one seeing the most growth lately. Taking a look at that report from the IWPR again:
- The largest jump for construction occupations was construction managers, which grew 166% between 2015 and 2024.
- Construction and extraction occupations overall saw a 77.3% increase, with construction laborers alone jumping up almost 68%.
- Office and admin construction jobs also grew, but not as quickly, increasing by approximately 47%.
How the Industry Can Support This Shift
While this trend toward more women entering the construction field is a very positive one, it’s not without its challenges to ensure that this demographic continues to grow and also stays in the industry long-term. The good news is that construction companies and construction training schools have definitive steps they can take to combat these challenges.
Stereotypes and gender bias
Construction, for a large part, is still seen as a “man’s” job or a “masculine” field, and that can make it more difficult for women on the job site. They may be more likely to experience harassment or be overlooked and underestimated. Knowing this is half the battle, though, and it can be counterbalanced by an active effort by employers to create an environment that supports all workers equally.
Lack of visibility and societal norms
More boys than girls are introduced to construction skills and knowledge when they’re young. More boys than girls are handed a toy bulldozer and encouraged to think about construction as a career. Because of that, construction companies and construction trade schools need to continue to expand their efforts to reach out to girls and women, recruit them, and show them that this is a career field worth their time and attention.
Work-life balance
Many women also function as caregivers, either for their children or maybe parents or older relatives. They’re also more likely to take on the majority of the housework, so flexibility and work-life balance are major concerns. They need options to advance in their careers without their other responsibilities taking a hit. Luckily, new tech and digital advancements are making it much more possible for women to access construction training and find opportunities in the field.
The Future of Construction
Women in construction are transforming the industry for the better, and there is so much more room to grow in this direction. Schools like ASC Technical Institute — which offer short-term, hands-on training in construction careers like heavy equipment operator — are on the front lines of this change, connecting with the next generation of female construction workers and supporting them in their path forward.
Interested in the in-demand construction industry? Contact ASCTI at 915-505-6488 to become a heavy equipment operator today or enroll online. Our admissions reps will help you get started with hands-on training to build a portfolio of real-world skills and earn your diploma and certifications to prepare you for a new career.