Building a Stronger Workforce: Why Increasing the Number of Women in Construction is Crucial for Industry Growth

The construction industry has long been recognized as a male-dominated field. But times are changing—and the numbers show both how far we’ve come and how much further we need to go. At Dapt, where we’re all about making job processes smarter and more efficient, we know that diversifying the workforce, especially in construction, is not just the right thing to do—it’s also good for business.

The Current Landscape: Where Are We Now?

Let’s take a look at where women stand in the U.S. construction workforce today:

• Women make up approximately 14% of the construction workforce. While this is a notable increase compared to past decades, it still represents a significant gender gap. (source)
• Only about 4% of tradespeople are women. Most women in construction hold office or administrative roles, not field positions or skilled trade jobs. (source)
• Pay gap progress: The gender pay gap in construction is narrower than in many other industries. Women in construction earn approximately 95.5% of what men do, compared to the national average of 82.9%. (source)

But here’s where it gets even more relevant to us at Dapt: nearly 80% of the women in construction are working in office and administrative roles—many of them in accounting, HR, and payroll departments. (source)

In fact, women make up nearly 60% of all accountants and auditors in the U.S. and hold approximately 70% of all HR roles, according to 2023 data. These are the very roles that Dapt serves most directly, streamlining the job costing and payroll processes they manage every day. Check out our blog post here for more information about the processes involved in job costing.

Why It Matters: The Benefits of Bringing More Women into Construction

1. Addressing the Labor Shortage: The construction industry is facing a significant workforce shortage. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, hundreds of thousands of jobs in construction are unfilled. Tapping into the underrepresented female workforce can help bridge that gap.
2. Driving Innovation & Problem Solving: Diverse teams consistently outperform homogenous ones. Women bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and unique leadership styles that can improve job site collaboration and project outcomes.
3. Enhancing Economic Growth: Greater female participation strengthens the economy overall. Encouraging women into higher-paying construction jobs means more families with better financial stability, and more dollars circulating in local economies.
4. Empowering the Back Office: With so many women in key financial and operational roles, modernizing the tools they use—like payroll integration and real-time job costing—is critical. This isn’t just about field crews; it’s about giving the office teams, many of them led by women, the insights and automation they need to thrive.

What’s Holding Us Back?

Several barriers still discourage women from entering and advancing in construction roles:

• Persistent stereotypes and gender biases
• Lack of female mentors and role models in the trades
• Insufficient access to training and apprenticeship opportunities
• Concerns about workplace safety and harassment

Moving Forward: How the Industry Can Lead Change

If construction leaders want to tap into the full potential of their workforce, here’s where the focus should be:

• Education & Outreach: Start early. Schools, trade associations, and businesses need to promote construction careers to young women, breaking down outdated perceptions.
• Apprenticeship Programs & Scholarships: Increase access to hands-on training specifically designed to support and encourage female candidates.
• Workplace Policies: Foster safe, inclusive job sites. Implement zero-tolerance policies for harassment, and ensure fair hiring and advancement practices.
• Leadership Development: Support mentorship programs that help women advance into management roles and leadership positions.
• Technology Investment: Equip back-office teams—especially those in HR and accounting—with modern tools that reduce manual work, increase accuracy, and provide actionable insights.

The Bottom Line

The construction industry is at a pivotal moment. By opening the door wider for women—especially in skilled trades and leadership—companies can future-proof their workforce, drive innovation, and create more inclusive workplaces.

At Dapt, we believe in building smarter, stronger systems. And that includes empowering the women in back-office roles who keep construction companies running. Let’s challenge outdated norms, foster diversity, and pave the way for a more equitable future—brick by brick.

Want to streamline your job costing and payroll processes to support your growing, diverse team?
Contact Dapt today and discover how we can simplify your systems while you focus on building the future

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