ConDig (11-Mar-25)  The construction industry reported 236,000 job openings at the end of January, marking an increase of 31,000 from the previous month but a significant decline of 171,000 compared to the same time last year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of new federal labor data.

The figures, released in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), highlight a period of heightened labor market movement in the sector. JOLTS defines job openings as unfilled positions for which employers are actively recruiting.

“While construction job openings remained subdued in January, industrywide labor force churn increased meaningfully,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “Both hires and separations—including layoffs, discharges, and quits—accelerated to the fastest rate since the first half of 2024.”

Despite concerns over construction spending trends and economic uncertainty fueled by volatile trade policies, contractors remain optimistic about hiring. According to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index, nearly six in ten contractors expect their staffing levels to grow in the coming months.

Basu pointed to strong job growth in the construction sector in February as an encouraging sign that demand for workers will continue to rise. “That, along with healthy industrywide job growth in February, suggests job openings should continue to trend higher in the coming months,” he said.

While the construction industry continues to face labor shortages, the hiring outlook remains positive, with firms actively seeking skilled workers to meet ongoing demand.