• While overall employment in the State of Tennessee increased 2.54% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 3.78%, creating 4,514 new construction jobs in 5 years.

• While the average worker in Tennessee brought home $30,548 in pay in 2002, the state’s construction workers made on average $33,825, an increase of 9.69% more than the average worker in Tennessee. 

• Construction workers in Tennessee saw a salary increase of 20.25% from 1997-2002, compared to the average salary increase construction workers across the United States, which increased by 14.97%. 

• Although the number of establishments in the construction industry decreased by 845 during the 5 year period, 4,514 n new construction jobs were created in Tennessee between 1997 and 2002.

• The number of businesses in Tennessee dropped from 98,063 in 1997 to 96,149 in 2002, an increase of -1.95%.  Construction establishments in Tennessee however, decreased by -7.40% from 11,417 in 1997 to 10,572 in 2002.

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 1.5 percent of Tennessee’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 99 out of 100 Tennessee’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 Tennessee is $50,000.