• While overall employment in the State of Washington increased 5.37% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 21.48%, creating 29,680 new construction jobs as well as 1,834 new construction establishments in 5 years.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 138,194 individuals employed in the construction industry in Washington in 1997 and 167,874 in 2002, an increase of 21.48% in 5 years. 

• Construction employees in Washington made $37,711 on average in 2002, compared to $35,352, the national average salary in 2002 for construction workers across the United States.

• Construction workers in Washington saw a salary increase of 15.08% from 1997-2002, compared to the average salary increase construction workers across the United States, which increased by 14.97%. 

• Of the 5,834 new businesses established between 1997 and 2002 in Washington, 1,834 or 31.44% of those establishments were in the construction industry.

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 25.5 percent of Washington’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 75 out of 100 Washington’s private construction workers do not belong to a labor union.

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

• Washington is a prevailing wage state. There is no dollar threshold amount for contract coverage under state prevailing wage law in Washington.