• While overall employment in the State of Minnesota increased 7.72% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 43.83%, creating 45,230 new construction jobs and 3,959 new construction establishments in 5 years.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 103,200 individuals employed in the construction industry in Minnesota in 1997 and 148,430 in 2002, an increase of 43.83% in 5 years. 

• While the average worker in Minnesota brought home $35,098 in pay in 2002, the state’s construction workers made on average $39,348, 10.80% more than the average worker in Minnesota. 

• Construction employees in Minnesota made $39,348 on average in 2002, compared to $35,352, the national average salary in 2002 for construction workers across the United States.

• The number of businesses in Minnesota grew from 104,802 in 1997 to 113,817 in 2002, an increase of 8.60%.  Construction establishments in Minnesota however, increased by 30.47% from 12,993 in 1997 to 16,952 in 2002.

• Of the 9,015 new businesses established between 1997 and 2002 in Minnesota, 3,959 or 43.92% of those establishments were in the construction industry.

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 24 percent of Minnesota’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 76 out of 100 Minnesota’s 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 Minnesota is $25,000 when more than one trade is involved and $2,500 where a single trade is involved.