The construction industry consists of three main subsectors: building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction, and specialty trade contractors. Building construction is divided between residential and nonresidential buildings.

Specialty trade contractors provide the largest percentage of employment in construction. This subsector includes establishments whose primary role is to perform specific activities in building construction, but that are not responsible for the entire project. General contractors and private owners usually subcontract such work. Because of this, economists tend to pay more attention to indicators that relate to building construction and heavy and civil engineering construction, since these subsectors directly drive growth of specialty trade contractors even though they comprise a smaller percent of construction employment.

For more information about this industry please contact:
Clay Fife
Senior Project Manager
Worksystems, Inc.
111 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 1150
Portland, OR 97204
Ph. 503.478.7325
cfife@worksystems.org
fax 503.478.7425