Connecticut Construction Jobs Hit 18-Year High

Connecticut's construction workers have finally climbed back to a milestone nearly two decades in the making.

The state's construction workforce hit 65,200 people in April 2026, its highest level since before the housing market collapse of 2008. It's a remarkable recovery for an industry that lost thousands of jobs during the Great Recession and took another hit when COVID-19 brought projects to a halt.

The numbers tell a story of resilience. Construction employment plummeted to just 50,500 workers in April 2010 as the recession devastated the housing market. The pandemic pushed it even lower in 2020, dropping to 49,400 workers.

But something shifted. Years of smart planning, workforce training, and steady infrastructure investment are now paying off in real jobs.

Eric Cushman, who leads Connecticut operations for Gilbane Building Co., has watched demand explode. His company's Connecticut revenue has grown nearly 70% since 2021, and he's hiring project managers, engineers, and superintendents to keep up with what's coming.

"The volume of really nice projects is far beyond what I've seen in my 20 years in this market," Cushman said. Healthcare facilities, schools, housing developments, and infrastructure work are all booming at once.

A big driver is infrastructure spending that doubled from $1.3 billion in 2014 to $2.69 billion this year. Federal money from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act helped advance projects like the $712 million reconstruction of a major highway interchange in Meriden.

Highway construction alone employed 7,700 people last July, a 15-year high. State Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto credits investments made a decade ago that are finally breaking ground today.

The Ripple Effect spreads beyond paychecks. Interest in construction careers is surging as people rethink traditional paths. The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters now sees 80 to 100 people attend monthly information sessions at its Wallingford training center, nearly double last year's attendance.

Marc Okun, the union's Connecticut regional manager, says concerns about automation and student debt are pushing people toward skilled trades. Union membership has grown 2.5% to about 3,000 members.

Industry leaders say there's still room to grow. Connecticut contractors have capacity for more work, and the pipeline of planned projects suggests the momentum will continue for years.

After nearly 20 years of setbacks, Connecticut's construction industry isn't just recovering—it's building the future.