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Despite the small, but growing, share of women in construction, it can be a lucrative field, says Forbes. In construction, there is no gender pay gap, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women earn 99.1% of what men make while the average woman in the U.S. makes 88.1% of what the average man does. Women make up 10.3% of total construction industry workers, but the percentage continues to grow, especially with the current booming housing market. The strong increase in demand has bolstered business for builders, necessitating more people working in the field. Here’s what two woman construction leaders have to say about their experiences.
This being Women in Construction week , I took the opportunity to interview two women who have been successful in the construction field in order to find out more about what they believe are the opportunities for other women.
As president of 84 Lumber, Maggie Hardy Knox oversees day-to-day operations of the company and its approximately 250 stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, custom millwork shops and engineered wood product centers nationwide. A certified national women’s business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy Knox, 84 Lumber was named by Forbes as one of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2018 and one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2019.
What requirements or credentials are necessary to work in the construction field?
MHK - I believe the basic requirement is to have genuine care for customers and associates. And like anything else in life, a great work ethic can make you super successful. If you show us that you have those traits, our company will train you on everything else.
