Women in construction continue to face significant barriers to advancement, workplace bias and safety concerns, according to a 2026 industry report released by STACK Construction Technologies.

The survey, conducted with Censuswide, found 60% of women in construction say they struggle to advance in their careers, while 35% of executives believe the industry may never be an ideal field for women.

Barriers to advancement include a lack of clear career paths (28%), limited representation in leadership roles (33%) and reliance on informal networks that exclude women (28%), respondents said.

“As a woman in this industry, this data is alarming,” said Lindsay Powers, senior vice president of marketing at STACK. “It shows that culture change has to start from the top, as leadership perception shapes opportunity.”

Bias remains widespread, with 73% of women reporting they have experienced it on the job. Respondents cited assumptions about physical ability, being talked down to and improperly fitting safety equipment as common issues. Among women in executive roles, 44% said colleagues were more resistant to their ideas compared with male counterparts.

The findings come as the construction industry faces ongoing labor shortages, raising concerns that persistent workplace issues may deter potential workers.

Related: Women Who Build: Empowering Women in Wall and Ceiling Construction

“I hope we move from talking about inclusion to measuring it,” said Viyas Sundaram, CEO of STACK. “This should start with transparent promotion criteria, clearer career paths and accountability for culture at every level.”

Safety also emerged as a major concern. Overall, 68% of respondents said they have felt unsafe at work. Women were more likely to cite harassment and fear of retaliation for reporting issues, while men more often pointed to physical job risks.

The report also found 12% of workers have been injured due to missed hazards, which respondents linked in part to slow adoption of new technology.

Despite the challenges, respondents identified potential solutions, including improving workplace culture, expanding mentorship opportunities and addressing equipment and facility needs to better support women on job sites.