Residential building construction
NAICS Code: 236100
Industry Insight
The Residential building construction industry is classified under NAICS code 236100 and employed approximately 943,100 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 982,400 — a net change of +39,300 jobs over the decade. That works out to a +4.2% projected growth rate, a measured but positive trajectory.
NAICS 236100 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Residential building construction determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers — industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Residential building construction (NAICS 236100) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly | 988,500 | +10.5% |
| Gasoline stations | 983,400 | -14.1% |
| Residential building construction | 943,100 | +4.2% |
| Landscaping services | 911,200 | +2.6% |
| Nonresidential building construction | 910,500 | +5.0% |
| Couriers and express delivery services | 909,800 | +4.8% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Residential building construction?
As of 2024, the Residential building construction industry employs approximately 943,100 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Residential building construction growing or declining?
The Residential building construction industry is projected to grow by 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of +39,300 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Residential building construction industry?
The Residential building construction industry (NAICS 236100) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Residential building construction industry?
AI impact on the Residential building construction industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade