The construction industry lost 11,000 jobs on net in February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 42,000 jobs, an increase of 0.5%. Nonresidential construction employment decreased by 3,800 positions, with losses in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Heavy and civil engineering lost 6,500 jobs and nonresidential specialty trade lost 1,400

Construction input prices increased 0.7% in January compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.6% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 2.3% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 2.9% higher. Prices increased in 2 of 3 energy categories last mo

National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.6% in December, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.24 trillion. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 12 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was down 0.7%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.4% in Decemb

In one month, more than 200 of the country’s top construction professionals in trades like carpentry, drywall, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and welding will compete at the premier skilled trades contest in Salt Lake City at Associated Builders and Contractors’ 37th annual  National Craft Championships .   NCC highlights lifelong learning in construction, drawing the country’s most talented craft professionals to show the importance of craft education. ABC’s annual  Construction

According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2025 Union Members Summary , 11.1% of U.S. construction industry workers belong to a union, an increase from 10.3% in 2024, versus 88.9% who do not.    The BLS reported that 995,000 construction industry workers were members of a union, while 8 million chose to pursue their careers in merit-based construction in 2025. The construction industry grew to 9 million workers in 202

The construction industry added 33,000 jobs on net in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 44,000 jobs, an increase of 0.5%. Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 27,900 positions, with gains in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 25,100 jobs, while nonresidential building added 3,60

The construction industry had 292,000 job openings on the last day of December, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. 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. “This release paints a slightly more upbeat pi

The construction industry needs to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 to meet demand for construction services, according to a proprietary model developed and released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2027, the industry will need to bring in 456,000 new workers to meet demand as construction spending growth is poised to resume for the first time in years. ABC’s  proprietary model  uses the historical relationship between inflation-adjusted co

National nonresidential construction spending remained virtually unchanged on a monthly basis in October and was down 0.9% year over year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.25 trillion. Spending rose month over month in 9 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was down 0.2%, while public no

Construction input prices increased 0.6% in November compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.6% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 3.4% higher than one year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 3.8% higher. Prices increased in 2 of 3 energy categories la

The construction industry lost 11,000 jobs on net in December, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment grew by 14,000 jobs, an increase of 0.2%. Nonresidential construction employment decreased by 7,800 positions on net, with losses in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Heavy and civil engineering added 2,300 jobs, while nonresidential specialty trade and

The construction industry had 292,000 job openings on the last day of November, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 90,000 during the month and are up by 15,000 from the same time last year. “Construction job openings rose meaningf

Despite cooling demand in U.S. construction—with spending down in interest-rate-sensitive sectors like housing and commercial development, and nearly 80% of contractors reporting hiring challenges—the industry’s labor gap remains significant: the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) estimates a shortfall of 439,000 workers in 2025. Amid these labor market pressures, construction wages are rising, but not as much as one might expect—and gains vary by state and occupation.

The construction industry had 188,000 job openings on the last day of August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 115,000 last month and are down by 116,000 from the same time last year.   “Construction job openings plunged in Augu

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.5 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 22 to Oct. 6. The reading is down 0.1 months since September 2024. View ABC’s  Construction Backlog Indicator  and  Construction Confidence Index  tables for September. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index  data series . Over the past year, backlog has dec

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell from 8.8 months in July to 8.5 months in...

The construction industry lost 7,000 jobs in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today...

Construction input prices increased 0.2% in August compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors...

The construction industry had 306,000 job openings on the last day of July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis...

National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of...