Business · Facts & sources
6 sourced facts about contractors, each with the context behind the number. 4 more are in today's round and appear here after it closes.
Answer11.9 million (7.4% of employment)
Independent contractors skew older: 36% were age 55 or over, versus about 22% of workers in traditional jobs.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements (2023) bls.gov
Answer8,359,000 (preliminary)
The industry had about 325,000 job openings in July 2026.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Construction: Industry at a Glance bls.gov
Answer15.1%
Only arts, design and entertainment (28.1%) and personal care jobs (19.7%) had higher rates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements (2023) bls.gov
Answer$41.66 (preliminary)
Production and nonsupervisory construction workers averaged $39.36 an hour.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Construction: Industry at a Glance bls.gov
Answer$543.4B of $2,157.6B (about 25%)
Private construction made up the rest; public spending includes schools ($112.3 billion) and highways.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Construction Spending census.gov
Answer$859.0 billion
Residential spending was 1.3% below June's revised estimate of $870.6 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Construction Spending census.gov