Southwest Florida continues to cement its place as a national leader in construction employment, with the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metro area topping all U.S. regions in workforce share devoted to the building trades. According to a new report from Construction Coverage, which analyzed 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, 16.2% of Cape Coral–Fort Myers’ total workforce is employed in the construction industry — the highest percentage among all U.S. metropolitan areas.

The data underscores the region’s rapid growth and robust construction activity, driven by both residential and commercial demand. “Strong population growth, ongoing infrastructure projects, and a surge in housing development are fueling sustained demand for construction workers in our area,” the report noted.

Other parts of Southwest Florida also ranked high. The Naples–Marco Island metro secured the No. 5 spot among midsize metros, with 13.1% of its workforce in construction, while Punta Gorda ranked sixth among small metros, at 11%.

Statewide, Florida ranked No. 13 nationally with 7.4% of its workforce — approximately 647,674 employees — working in construction, well above the national average of 6.1%. The state also recorded a 3.1% year-over-year increase in construction employment, a sign of ongoing momentum.

Analysts say the region’s high rankings are directly linked to Florida’s booming housing market, large-scale infrastructure upgrades, and disaster recovery construction in the wake of recent hurricanes. This combination has created steady demand for skilled labor, from carpenters and electricians to heavy equipment operators and project managers.

Local contractors have reported labor shortages in certain trades, prompting expanded training programs and incentives to attract workers. The BLS data suggests that while other regions have seen fluctuations in construction hiring, Southwest Florida’s growth is more sustained, reflecting longer-term market stability.

Cape Coral–Fort Myers, Naples–Marco Island, and Punta Gorda all benefit from proximity to major development corridors, planned transportation expansions, and steady inbound migration — factors that industry leaders believe will keep construction employment strong in the coming years.

With more infrastructure funding flowing from federal and state sources, Southwest Florida is expected to remain a key hub for construction employment growth, potentially inspiring similar workforce concentrations in other fast-growing states.

Originally reported by Adam Regan in Gulfshore Business.