Construction supports every economic engine in Washington. In 2008, over 274,000 people worked in Washington's Construction cluster. While employment dropped in early 2008 as a result of a stalled housing market, nonresidential market is faring well.

31,000 people work in Snohomish County's Construction cluster. Most work as carpenters, construction laborers, first-line supervisors, and painters.

Despite Construction being in a the midst of a short-term slow down, the cluster is holding strong and is projected to do so for many years to come. It is clear that Construction is a robust and rewarding field in which workers can benefit greatly.

The Construction cluster focuses on:

• Construction of residential buildings
• Construction of nonresidential buildings
• Utility system construction
• Land subdivision
• Highway, street, and bridge construction
• Other heavy and civil engineering construction
• Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors
• Building equipment contractors
• Building finishing contractors
• Other specialty trade contractors