• While overall employment in the State of Oregon increased 2.64% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 9.91%, creating 7,936 new construction jobs and 114 new construction establishments in 5 years.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 80,041 individuals employed in the construction industry in Oregon in 1997 and 87,977 in 2002, an increase of 9.91% in 5 years. 

• While the average worker in Oregon brought home $32,471 in pay in 2002, the state’s construction workers made on average $35,274, an increase of 7.94% more than the average worker in Oregon. 

• Of the 2,788 new businesses established between 1997 and 2002 in Oregon, 114 or 4.09% of those establishments were in the construction industry.

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 12.0 percent of Oregon’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 88 out of 100 Oregon’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 Oregon is $25,000.