The construction industry is a big deal in Mississippi. It pumped nearly $5 billion into the state’s economy in 2023.
That’s about 3.3% of Mississippi’s total economic output. The industry also gives jobs to lots of people – around 47,500 workers as of last summer.
Things are looking up for construction in Mississippi.
Big projects like Amazon Web Services in Madison County are creating tons of new jobs.
Experts think thousands more workers will be needed soon.
This growth isn’t just about building stuff.
It’s changing the whole industry in Mississippi, bringing new chances for workers to learn skills and move up in their careers.
Plenty of Work in a Tough Field
The building trade offers lots of job chances. It’s a field that keeps going strong even when times are tough.
Many jobs in this area pay better than other work in Mississippi.
Let’s look at some numbers. The average yearly pay for all jobs in Mississippi is $36,100. But people who run work crews in construction make about $60,450 a year.
Plumbers and pipe workers earn around $50,110. Electricians get about $54,640, and carpenters make $39,900 each year.
Only basic workers make less than the state average, at $32,460.
Even with good pay, companies can’t find enough workers. A recent survey showed 85% of building firms have trouble hiring hourly workers.
Lloyd Munn, who leads a big building group in Mississippi, says things have changed. “People used to think construction was just something to do until you got a real job,” he explains. “Now, I see folks retiring after 30, 40, or 50 years with nice savings and benefits.
It’s a good career that’s been great to me for over 30 years.”
The building business in Mississippi seems steady, but it’s not booming. Still, it helps many people.
When construction is strong, it’s good for workers, suppliers, designers, and more.
In 2022, private building projects that weren’t homes added up to $999 million in Mississippi. State and local governments spent $2.4 billion on building.
We don’t know how much was spent on homes, railroads, power plants, or federal projects.
Seth Hood, from the Home Builders group in Mississippi, says home building is doing well despite some problems.
High interest rates, expensive materials, and not enough workers make things hard. In some places, land costs are going up too.
Builders are trying to find ways to keep prices down for buyers.
The building trade in Mississippi is holding strong. It offers good jobs and helps many other businesses too.
While it faces some tough spots, the industry keeps moving forward, building the state’s future one project at a time.
