The $230 billion Kitchen & Bath (K&B) industry continues to experience a significant labor shortage that is constraining business capacity and limiting growth, according to the 2026 Skilled Labor Workforce Study report released by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). The study finds that the talent pipeline remains a fundamental challenge. Pros indicated that too few applicants and insufficient technical skills are the leading recruitment barriers, with installers and carpenters being the most difficult positions to fill.
The study, which surveyed more than 500 leading K&B professionals across the U.S. and Canada, explores businesses’ staffing experiences and expectations in the K&B industry, focusing on the effects of the skilled labor shortage.
Notable findings include:
The skilled labor shortage is spreading, even as it eases. While the percentage of businesses reporting significant or moderate shortages fell from 58% in 2024 to 40% in 2026, the number of companies experiencing at least some staffing issues has reached an all-time high. This indicates the issue is spreading across the industry, rather than being solved.
Labor gaps and workforce shortages are directly impacting the bottom line. Nearly half of businesses report that labor gaps have already restricted their ability to take on new projects, a trend they expect to continue.
The pipeline problem begins long before hiring; fixing it must start as early as middle school — not job fairs. A limited pool of applicants and insufficient technical preparation are the leading obstacles to recruitment. Ninety percent of employers surveyed believe exposure to the trades should begin as early as middle or high school, and more than two-thirds say hands-on learning is essential for generating genuine interest in a trades career.
“The skilled labor shortage is a massive challenge for our industry, and our members recognize the critical role we must play in developing the next generation of talent,” said Bill Darcy, global president & CEO of NKBA I KBIS. “Many businesses want to engage with students, but they often lack the resources to create programs. Making it easier for businesses to get involved through ready-made programs and training materials can help turn that interest into action.”
The NKBA is the largest K&B trade organization, serving a community of nearly 55,000 member K&B companies and professionals across North America.
Explore more about the 2026 NKBA Skilled Labor Workforce Study to better understand the impacts of the skilled labor shortage and how the K&B industry can best work together to turn the tide.
