To assist architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms in the United States of America conducting business in China, a comprehensive comparison of the development trend of the Chinese and United States construction industries from 1978 to 2008 was conducted and adjusted for inflation. The growth trends of value added and Gross Output Value of the Chinese and U.S. construction industries were analyzed and compared. In addition, future growth of value added and Gross Output Value of the two construction industries were projected using polynomial functions and exponential functions. The results show that the Chinese construction industry grew at higher and more stable rates than the U.S. construction industry, and is projected to surpass the latter in the near future. The findings of the research can help the U.S. AEC firms become more familiar with the Chinese construction industry through its growth pattern.