Construction Surge and Prefabrication Trend Propel U.S. Structural Metal Market Growth

According to the latest market research study published by P&S Intelligence, the U.S. structural metal market reached a value of USD 92.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to witness a robust CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2032, ultimately hitting USD 146.9 billion by 2032. This impressive growth trajectory is fueled by the booming construction industry, rapid urbanization, and increasing investment in infrastructure development across the nation.

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Government initiatives such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which allocated nearly USD 550 billion to key sectors like transportation and public utilities, are major catalysts for market expansion. The need for durable, energy-efficient building materials in both public and private infrastructure projects continues to surge, with structural metals playing a pivotal role in bridges, power plants, hospitals, and residential complexes.

The adoption of advanced technologies such as CNC machining and 3D printing is further revolutionizing the market, enabling the production of complex, customized structural components. Simultaneously, the move towards prefabricated construction is accelerating demand for structural metal products, thanks to their strength, recyclability, and cost efficiency.

Key Insights

• The support & structure category dominated the product landscape with a 50% share in 2024, attributed to widespread use of beams, columns, trusses, and framing systems in infrastructure like bridges and high-rise buildings.
• Prefabricated buildings emerged as the fastest-growing product segment, expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.5%, driven by demand for quicker, cost-effective construction methods and scalability in data centers, warehouses, and affordable housing.
• Steel led the type segment with a 50% market share in 2024, valued for its strength, corrosion resistance, and load-bearing capacity, making it indispensable in modern infrastructure development.
• Aluminum is poised to witness the fastest growth, with a projected CAGR of 6.4%, owing to its lightweight, corrosion resistance, and eco-friendly profile, especially in LEED-certified and green building projects.
• The commercial sector accounted for the largest end-use share at 55% in 2024, supported by expanding urban centers and the growing need for institutional and office infrastructure using high-performance metals.
• The residential sector is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.3%, propelled by the rise in modular housing and the shift from timber to metal for enhanced fire and weather resistance.
• The South region led the geographical segmentation with a 40% share in 2024 and is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.5%, driven by booming populations in Texas, Florida, and Georgia, and a surge in industrial relocations due to favorable business environments.
• The U.S. structural metal market remains fragmented, marked by the presence of numerous regional competitors and standardized production methods. This opens opportunities for businesses focused on innovation, service excellence, and cost efficiency.
• Major industry players include Nucor Corporation, Commercial Metals Company, Steel Dynamics, Valmont Industries, Zekelman Industries, and United Steel Inc., all of which are actively investing in expansion and innovation to strengthen their market positions.
• In January 2025, Nucor Corporation announced a USD 200 million investment to establish its third utility structure facility in Brigham City, Utah, highlighting ongoing capacity expansions.
• In a strategic move, Zekelman Industries acquired EXLTUBE's assets in November 2022, adding three new mills and over 530,000 square feet of manufacturing space, further consolidating its position in the steel tubing market.