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Steel Framing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Pigott Matthew Pigott New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 23812

Revenue

$22.5bn

2024

$22.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

93,800

Businesses

17,071

Wages

$X.Xbn

Steel Framing in the US industry analysis

The Steel Framing industry fabricates and erects structural parts made from steel or precast concrete, which are vital in the construction of building structures, exteriors, metal storage tanks and other infrastructure projects. The market for steel erection services only includes work that can be distinctly contracted out as a component of construction rather than general construction services. Profit has been volatile over the five-year period through 2024 as volatile demand from the construction market and volatile steel prices have created an uncertain operating environment. Overall, industry revenue declined at a CAGR of 1.0% over the past five years, including an increase of 0.6% in 2024 to reach $22.5 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • Nonresidential construction accounts for over 95.0% of the Steel Framing industry's revenue. In recent years, nonresidential construction activity has been supported by federal policies that may be threatened by the second Trump administration.
  • Steel fabrication has gained traction as demand from commercial construction has grown. Government investment and funding for highways has exacerbated this dynamic and aided in this product segment's growth.
  • Steel framing businesses in the West and Southwest U.S. are tapping into diverse nonresidential markets. These regions demand steel for bridges, grain silos, manufacturing, oil and gas infrastructure, multistory buildings and sports stadiums.
  • The construction industry faces intense internal competition. This is due to numerous small-scale, regionally dispersed contractors. The market share concentration remains low, contributing to the high degree of competition.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $22.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Fluctuating demand from residential markets

  • Rising steel prices and lower mortgage rates during the COVID-19 pandemic drove revenue growth in 2020 and 2021. Higher steel prices can be passed downstream to consumers and lower interest rates translate into cheaper capital, encouraging construction activity. Still, the residential construction market accounts for less than 5.0% of the industry's overall revenue, so positive residential activity only tempered steel framers overall decline during in 2020 and 2021.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Steel Framing in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Demand from construction markets will expand

  • The Federal Reserve has signaled that it will continue to lower interest rates over the coming years as inflation has largely abated. As a result, investment in residential construction is set to return to growth. Falling prime rates are, therefore, set to contribute to growing demand for steel framing.

Biggest companies in the Steel Framing in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Steel Framing in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Steel Framing in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Structural steel erection, Steel fabrication and Additions and alterations to existing structures. Structural steel erection is the largest segment of the Steel Framing in the US.

Trends and Insights

Fabrication services gaining traction

  • In this industry, fabrication refers to the process of preparing all the relevant components needed for final assembly at a project site. The on-site welding and fabrication of steel components are structural steel erectors' main skilled input. Steel frame erection and fabrication has wavered during the pandemic in light of non-residential construction markets being constrained.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises contractors that install steel and precast concrete to produce structural elements, building exteriors and elevator fronts. The industry also includes the installation of other steel products (e.g. setting rods, bars, rebar, mesh and cages) to reinforce poured-in-place concrete, cooling towers and metal storage tanks. The structural steel erection work performed includes new work, additions, alterations, reconstruction, maintenance and repairs.

What's included in this industry?

Structural steel erectionSteel fabricationPrecast concrete installationAdditions and alterations to existing structures

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ELECTRIC ARC WELDINGTUNGSTEN INERT GAS (TIG)GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 23812 - Steel Framing in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Nonresidential construction accounts for over 95.0% of the Steel Framing industry's revenue. In recent years, nonresidential construction activity has been supported by feder...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Steel fabrication has gained traction as demand from commercial construction has grown. Government investment and funding for highways has exacerbated this dynamic and aided ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Steel framing businesses in the West and Southwest U.S. are tapping into diverse nonresidential markets. These regions demand steel for bridges, grain silos, manufacturing, o...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The construction industry faces intense internal competition. This is due to numerous small-scale, regionally dispersed contractors. The market share concentration remains lo...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The industry is categorized by a low level of market share concentration and a fragmented industry landscape. Steel framing is composed of many small-scale operators that pro...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Steel erectors require certifications to procure contracts to work on institutions such as schools, shopping centers and power generating stations. Advanced certifications ar...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Steel framing is highly labor intensive, and, for that matter, requires particularly skilled labor. This has led to wage costs placing constant pressure on contractors.

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States is $22.5bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Steel Framing in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 17,071 businesses in the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Steel Framing in the US in United States include?

    Structural steel erection and Steel fabrication are part of the Steel Framing in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Steel Framing in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Wood Framing in the US

    Complementors

    • Apartment & Condominium Construction in the US
    • Industrial Building Construction in the US
    • Bridge & Elevated Highway Construction in the US

    International industries

    • Structural Steel Erection Services in Australia
    • Bricklaying & Other Specialised Construction Services in the UK
    • Building Construction in China

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

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    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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