The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) has released its annual report on Union Labor Costs in Construction. The report is useful for understanding current trends in collectively bargained compensation for union craft workers in the construction industry, providing data analyses by region and trade. It can be a valuable resource when preparing for collective bargaining negotiations, particularly when used in conjunction with CLRC’s latest Settlements Report.
The report shows 71 percent of the total package rates paid in 2022 fell in the $45.01–$75.00 range, predictably, in 2022 there was a higher percentage of total package rates in the upper end of the distribution and a lower percentage in the lower end, compared to 2021. The total package covers all negotiated employer payments, including wages, fringe benefits, and such additional payments as contributions to training and apprenticeship funds and industry advancement funds. The national average (which is the average of the craft averages) was $63.58, up from $62.32 in 2021.
Regionally, the largest average total package paid in 2022, $74.76, was in the Middle Atlantic Region. The lowest average, $41.54, was in the South Central Region. This $33.22, or 80 percent, range from the largest to the smallest region average rate is comparable to last year.
CLRC publishes Union Labor Costs in Construction each year following the close of the first quarter, and it publishes a Settlements Report following the close of each subsequent quarter. Union Labor Costs in Construction focuses on package rates paid over a period, while the Settlements Report focuses on package increases. The most recent reports are available to AGC members in AGC’s Labor & HR Topical Resources library under the main category “Collective Bargaining” and subcategory “Collective Bargaining Agreements Data.” Be sure to log in as an AGC member to gain full access.
AGC is a founding and supporting member of CLRC. Collective bargaining chapters are reminded to please send new contract data directly to CLRC promptly upon settlement of collective bargaining negotiations. Chapters and members are also reminded that CLRC offers consulting and custom research services on local matters at a discount to AGC affiliates. This includes market share analysis, union/nonunion wage and fringe benefit comparisons, collective bargaining agreement language cost analysis, workforce/labor analysis and projections, and more.