Women in Construction and the Skilled Trades (2026) in Washington
How women in construction and the skilled trades (2026) fare in Washington — state-adjusted pay gap, state ranking, and the national context that frames the local picture.
The state-adjusted picture
Women in construction and the skilled trades (2026) nationally face the same structural conditions as women in every other field — but the overall wage environment in Washington modifies the baseline by -5.6% relative to the US average. A state where the overall pay gap is narrower tends to reflect narrower gaps within fields too, though field-specific dynamics dominate for specialized professions.
Washington elected its first woman US Senator in 1993.
National context
The skilled trades — electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, operators — are 89% male. They're also some of the best-paid non-degree jobs in the US, with strong union protection and clear advancement paths. This page tracks where women are in the trades and where the structural barriers sit.
National headline stats (construction and the skilled trades (2026))
Other fields in Washington
Construction and the Skilled Trades (2026) in other states
Related pages
Frequently asked
What is the pay gap for women in construction and the skilled trades (2026) in Washington?
Washington’s overall pay ratio is 79.1% — a 20.9% gap. The gap within construction and the skilled trades (2026) follows the national pattern modified by Washington’s overall wage environment. See the full national field data for in-field specifics.
How does Washington rank on pay equity?
Washington ranks #38 of 51 US jurisdictions on pay equity, per Census ACS state ratios.
How are women represented in Washington politics?
49.7% of Washington state legislators are women (CAWP 2024). 5 women from Washington serve in the 119th US Congress.
Where does the national construction and the skilled trades (2026) data come from?
Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR); BLS Current Population Survey; US DOL Apprenticeship.gov