Construction supports every economic engine in Washington. In 2009, 270,000 people worked in Washington's Construction cluster. While employment dropped in 2008 and early 2009 as a result of a stalled housing market, the nonresidential market is faring well and the residential market is seeing an upswing.
30,000 people work in Snohomish County's Construction cluster. Employment within the cluster grew 20% from 2002 and decreased over the past year. Most employees in Construction work as contractors.
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
