Specialty Trade Contractors: NAICS 238
About the Specialty Trade Contractors subsector
The specialty trade contractors subsector is part of the construction sector.
The Specialty Trade Contractors subsector comprises establishments whose primary activity is performing specific activities (e.g., pouring concrete, site preparation, plumbing, painting, and electrical work) involved in building construction or other activities that are similar for all types of construction, but that are not responsible for the entire project. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The production work performed by establishments in this subsector is usually subcontracted from establishments of the general contractor type or operative builders, but especially in remodeling and repair construction, work also may be done directly for the owner of the property. Specialty trade contractors usually perform most of their work at the construction site, although they may have shops where they perform prefabrication and other work. Establishments primarily engaged in preparing sites for new construction are also included in this subsector.
North American Industry Classification System
The specialty trade contractors subsector consists of these industry groups:
- Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors: NAICS 2381
- Building Equipment Contractors: NAICS 2382
- Building Finishing Contractors: NAICS 2383
- Other Specialty Trade Contractors: NAICS 2389
Workforce Statistics
This section provides information relating to employment in specialty trade contractors.
These data are obtained from employer or establishment surveys.
The following tables present an overview of the industry including
the number of jobs,
mass layoffs,
data for occupations common to the industry,
and projections of occupational employment change.
Employment and Layoffs
| Data series |
Back
data |
May
2012 |
Jun.
2012 |
Jul.
2012 |
Aug.
2012 |
Employment (in thousands) |
|
Employment, all employees (seasonally adjusted) |
|
3,456.5 |
3,463.7 |
3,454.2 |
3,456.0 |
Employment, production and nonsupervisory employees |
|
2,670.2 |
2,767.5 |
2,798.4 |
|
Layoffs |
|
Mass layoff events |
|
63 |
45 |
36 |
52 |
Initial claimants for unemployment benefits |
|
4,169 |
3,102 |
2,776 |
3,427 |
(Source: Current Employment Statistics, Mass Layoff Statistics)
Extended Mass Layoffs
(Source: Mass Layoff Statistics)
Employment by Occupation
(Source: Occupational Employment Statistics)
Projections
For projected (future) employment estimates, see the National Employment Matrix, which includes employment estimates by industry and occupation for specialty trade contractors.
(Source: Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections)
Earnings and Hours
This section presents data on employee earnings and weekly hours.
The latest industry averages of hourly earnings and weekly hours are shown.
In addition, recent hourly and annual earnings are shown for occupations commonly found in specialty trade contractors.
Earnings and Hours of All Employees
(Source: Current Employment Statistics)
Earnings and Hours of Production and Nonsupervisory Employees
(Source: Current Employment Statistics)
Earnings by Occupation
| Data series |
Wages, 2011 |
| Hourly |
Annual |
| Median |
Mean |
Median |
Mean |
Carpenters |
$18.96 |
$21.48 |
$39,430 |
$44,690 |
Construction laborers |
$14.07 |
$15.99 |
$29,270 |
$33,260 |
Electricians |
$23.01 |
$25.27 |
$47,870 |
$52,560 |
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers |
$28.00 |
$29.85 |
$58,240 |
$62,100 |
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters |
$22.83 |
$25.13 |
$47,480 |
$52,270 |
(Source: Occupational Employment Statistics)
Work-related Fatalities, Injuries, and Illnesses
This section presents data for the industry on the number of workplace fatalities and the rates of workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in specialty trade contractors. An injury or illness is considered to be work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition.
(Source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities)
Workplace Trends
This section presents data on the number of establishments in specialty trade contractors.
Establishments
(Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
Other BLS Resources
Career Guide to Industries
To learn about careers from an industry perspective, see the Career Guide to Industries.
Data extracted on:
September 27, 2012
