I've worked in construction for over 12 years, and for the last year, I've worked in Florida as an electrician, since moving here from Las Vegas. Working in construction in Florida has been surprising and a bit disappointing -- for such a large state in which construction is such a significant industry, I've been shocked to see how low wages are for skilled construction workers and the widespread lack of safety equipment and practices.
My wages used to reflect the skills and risk level this job requires. Years ago, I made $36 to $50 an hour working in places like Las Vegas. Now in Florida, I'm lucky to be paid $20 an hour.
Additionally, in our state, a construction worker dies on the job every four days, making it one of the top states in construction fatalities. We're seeing dire and worsening on-the-job health risks, including hurricanes and extreme heat.
At the same time as wages in construction have stagnated and the safety regulations and protections have not responded to the increasing risks we face due to climate change, housing costs have exploded in Florida. Since February 2020, the cost of rent across Florida has gone up 45%, the highest dollar increase in the country. I currently live with my daughter because I've been unable to find an apartment within my income. As of November 2024, the average rent in Miami is around $2,107 per month, which is 35% higher than the national average, making Miami one of the most expensive cities in the US. Those of us who are tasked with building out the high quality housing supply that Florida needs are not being paid enough to keep a roof over our own heads, even as we work every Saturday just to help make ends meet.
According to a newly released report on labor conditions in the South Florida construction industry by WeCount!, eight out of 10 workers in South Florida have struggled to pay their rent in the last year, and only two out of 10 workers are currently receiving any kind of on-the-job training about how to protect themselves from extreme heat.
Some politicians like to point to immigrant workers as the problem. But there is no construction industry in this country that doesn't rely on immigrant workers. Here in South Florida, our construction workforce is 75% immigrant, and I'm proud of that fact.
It's gotten to the point that I, like many of my coworkers, have been thinking about leaving Florida because of how low our wages are and the high cost of living. It's no wonder that Florida faces an increasingly dire workforce shortage.
I love my job. I used to feel like my job loved me back. But there is a solution: Developers, elected leaders and communities must work together to ensure that new development projects include fair wages and safety protections for workers. If we continue down the path we are on, Florida won't have the skilled workforce we need to build for the future, and all of us will suffer for it. That's why I'm part of WeCount! We're organizing alongside unions, churches, community organizations, small businesses and residents to win a Community Benefits Agreement on an upcoming massive redevelopment project being proposed by SG Holdings in Miami, the largest proposed redevelopment project in Miami history.
By working together as communities and ensuring that construction workers are protected, we can continue to develop Miami and all of South Florida into the future.
As I place lights on the balconies of future apartments in Miami, I sometimes think of my hopes for the future: That one day, those of us who labor to build this great city will be treated with the respect, fairness and dignity that we deserve.