North Carolina, October 15, 2025
North Carolina has been ranked as the 10th worst state for women’s pay in the construction sector, highlighting significant gender wage gaps. Despite the growing presence of women in construction roles, advocacy groups are calling for reforms to promote equity. Female workers continue to earn considerably less than their male counterparts in the building trades, raising concerns about fairness and equal opportunities in the industry.
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina has been identified as one of the states with the largest gender wage gaps in the construction industry, ranking 10th worst for women’s pay. Female construction workers earn significantly less than their male counterparts, prompting calls for equity reforms.
Recent reports reveal that women in North Carolina’s construction sector earn a median annual income of $46,856, contrasted with $56,000 for men, underscoring a persistent wage gap. The North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement indicated that Latina women face even more disparity, earning just 54 cents for every dollar made by White men, while women categorized as Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earn 94.2 cents for each dollar. This situation places North Carolina among the top ten states for the largest gender wage gaps in the construction industry.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction sector earn an average of 95.7% of what men earn, compared to a broader figure of 81.1% across all U.S. industries. Advocacy groups are pressing for significant reforms aimed at promoting equity within the industry. Suggested reforms include establishing policies to enforce pay equity, ensuring livable wages, and improving workplace conditions for women. Furthermore, they recommend enhancing access to paid family and medical leave, childcare, and early education, which are crucial for increasing women’s workforce participation. Investing in women’s education, career paths, and small business initiatives is also seen as vital for decreasing gender inequities.
In response to these challenges, the North Carolina Department of Labor has taken steps to recover unpaid wages, recently recovering over $2.5 million owed to workers. Nevertheless, the gender wage gap in the construction industry remains a significant issue, necessitating ongoing advocacy and policy changes to secure equal pay for equal work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current gender wage gap in North Carolina’s construction industry?
North Carolina ranks 10th worst for women’s pay in construction, with significant gender wage gaps persisting. Female workers earn considerably less than male counterparts in building trades.
What are advocacy groups calling for to address these disparities?
Advocacy groups are calling for reforms to promote equity, including implementing policies that support pay equity, livable wages, and better workplace conditions for women. Additionally, expanding access to paid family and medical leave, childcare, and early education are recommended to support women’s participation in the workforce. Investing in women’s education, career pathways, and small business ownership is also crucial to reducing gender inequities and advancing economic opportunities for women in North Carolina.
Has the North Carolina Department of Labor taken any actions regarding wage disparities?
Yes, the North Carolina Department of Labor has been actively involved in recovering unpaid wages for workers across the state. In July 2025, the department announced the recovery of over $2.5 million in unpaid wages, reflecting its commitment to protecting the rights of North Carolina’s workforce.
What is the median annual income for women and men in North Carolina?
According to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report, women in North Carolina earn a median annual income of $46,856, compared to $56,000 for men.
What is the wage disparity for Latina women in North Carolina?
The same report indicates that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander in North Carolina?
The report also noted that women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the gender wage gap across all U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the gender wage gap in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
What is the wage disparity for women in the construction industry compared to other U.S. industries?
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that women in the construction industry earned an average of 95.7% of what men earned, compared to 81.1% across all U.S. industries.
What is the wage disparity for women in North Carolina compared to other states?
In 2024, women in North Carolina earned $0.83 for every dollar men made in a typical week, placing the state among the top ten nationwide for the largest gender wage gaps in the sector.
What is the median annual income for men in North Carolina?
The median annual income for men in North Carolina is $56,000, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2025 report.
What is the median annual income for women in North Carolina?
The median annual income for women in North Carolina is $46,856, according to the same report.
What is the wage disparity for women of color in North Carolina?
The report also noted that Latina women earn just 54 cents for every dollar earned by White men, while women in the category of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander earned 94.2 cents for every dollar earned by White men in North Carolina.
Schema FAQ
Key Features of the Gender Wage Gap in North Carolina’s Construction Industry
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rank for Women’s Pay | 10th worst in the nation |
| Median Income for Women | $46,856 |
| Median Income for Men | $56,000 |
| Pay for Latina Women | 54 cents per dollar earned by White men |
| Pay for Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women | 94.2 cents per dollar earned by White men |
| Average Pay for Women in Construction Nationwide | 95.7% of men’s earnings |
| Average Pay for Women Across All U.S. Industries | 81.1% |
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Author: Construction NC News
NORTH CAROLINA STAFF WRITER The NORTH CAROLINA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionncnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in North Carolina and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas and the North Carolina Home Builders Association, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Womble Bond Dickinson LLP. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
