Breaking Through the Concrete Ceiling: Tradeswomen in the United States Tell Their Stories of Struggle and Success

Abstract

Today, women comprise about half of the United States workforce. Yet, they are still the majority of workers in the lowest paid jobs. In the construction industry, on-the-job training and unions have helped generations of white tradesmen acquire wages and benefits supportive of themselves and their families. This paper explores women’s desires to gain careers in the building trades, where they currently represent approximately 3% of workers. Data gained from interviews with tradeswomen and others in the construction industry indicate that gender parity remains elusive. As opposed to classical economic theory and construction industry conventional wisdom positing that women do not want to work construction, or are not able, this essay explores barriers in place keeping tradeswomen from successful careers.