• While overall employment in the State of Arkansas increased 2.21% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 10.97%, creating 4,611 new construction jobs and 180 new construction establishments in 5 years.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 42,033 individuals employed in the construction industry in Arkansas in 1997 and 46,644 in 2002, an increase of 10.97% in 5 years. 

• While the average worker in Arkansas brought home $26,680 in pay in 2002, the state’s construction workers made on average $27,827, 4.12% more than the average worker in Arkansas. 

• In the five years between 1997 and 2002, the average salary for employees in Arkansas increased by 22.62%, while the average salary for construction workers in Arkansas increased by 19.01%. 

• Construction workers in Arkansas saw a salary increase of 19.01% from 1997-2002, compared to the average salary increase construction workers across the United States, which increased by 14.97%. 

• Of the 657 new businesses established between 1997 and 2002 in Arkansas, 180 or 27.40% of those establishments were in the construction industry.

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only .9 percent of Arkansas private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 99 out of 100 Arkansas private construction workers do not belong to a labor union.

Data are from the U.S. Bureau of the Census except where noted.

• The dollar threshold amount for contract coverage under state prevailing wage laws in Arkansas is $75,000.