Construction Hiring Remains “Subdued” Despite Job Openings Rebound

by David Flaherty | 11 February 2026 9:33 am

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The construction industry had 292,000 job openings on the last day of December, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data from the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 8,000 in December and are up by 87,000 from the same time last year.

In all, there were 347,000 hires in December versus 342,000 total separations (177,000 layoffs and discharges, 148,000 quits, and 17, other separations). The number of hires in December was up 12,000 from November and 20,000 year over year. The number of separations was up 43,000 from November and 74,000 year over year.

“This release paints a slightly more upbeat picture of the construction industry’s labor force dynamics,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu[2]. “The hiring rate rebounded from the historical lows seen in October and November, and industrywide job openings rose to the highest level since July.

“Despite this improvement, demand for construction workers remains subdued, as has been the case for several quarters. Fewer construction workers were hired[3] in 2024 and 2025 than in any two-year period since 2015-2016,” Basu adds. “This recent weakness has not dampened contractor confidence, and ABC members on net expect to increase their staffing levels over the next six months, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index.”

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