Washington – September 18, 2026 -- Operating and maintaining commercial buildings across the United States generates $609.9 billion in annual economic output and supports 3.9 million jobs, according to a new market study released by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International.
Building operations deliver $2.22 in output for every $1 spent
The 2026 Market Study, covering office, retail and industrial properties in BOMA's 79 U.S. markets, found that $274.9 billion in annual building operating expenditures contributes $344.4 billion to U.S. GDP. The same spending generates $219.4 billion in personal earnings, with total economic output reaching $2.22 for every $1 invested in operations once direct, indirect and induced activity is counted.
Data centers now account for nearly half of private office construction
Federal statistics classify data centers as private office construction, and their growth is reshaping the category. In 2025, data centers represented approximately $41.2 billion, or nearly 46%, of the more than $90 billion spent on private office construction nationally -- up from less than 5% a decade earlier. Traditional office construction excluding data centers totaled roughly $48.4 billion in 2025.
Industrial construction stays elevated despite an annual pullback
Warehouse and manufacturing construction reached approximately $274.2 billion in 2025, down 7.9% from the prior year but still more than double the 2020 level and the third-highest annual total on record. Retail construction totaled around $47.1 billion in 2025, with activity picking up in the first three months of 2026. The study also noted that the U.S. life sciences real estate market is normalizing following several years of rapid expansion.
Impact spreads across 38 states, not just major metros
BOMA's 79 tracked markets span 38 states, with building operations supporting jobs and economic activity in communities beyond the largest commercial real estate hubs. "Every building relies on an extensive network of professionals to keep it running safely and efficiently," said Kjersten Jaeb, Chair and Chief Elected Officer of BOMA International, adding that the study demonstrates the scale of that ecosystem's contribution to the U.S. economy.
The study was conducted by the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder on behalf of BOMA International, and includes a separate analysis of life sciences properties in 17 markets with sufficient data.