Construction Job Openings Approach 400,000
The construction labor market remains tight, approaching an all-time high, as the industry sees a rising number of job openings year-over-year.
The count of open construction jobs increased slightly to 396,000 unfilled positions in March from a 383,000 rate in February. This is significantly higher than the 336,000 count recorded a year ago. The job openings rate in construction remained elevated at 4.9% in March.
The highest measure in the history of the data series (going back to late 2000) was 416,000 open jobs in April 2019. The housing market remains underbuilt and requires additional labor, lots and lumber and building materials to add inventory.
Looking forward, the construction job openings rate is likely to see increased upward pressure as both the residential and nonresidential construction sectors expand. Attracting skilled labor will remain a key objective for construction firms in the coming quarters and will become more challenging as the labor market strengthens and the unemployment rate declines.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides more analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Feb 13, 2026
Existing Home Sales in January Plunged to Lowest Level Since 2024Existing home sales in January fell to lowest level since August 2024 as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter weather weighed on sales activity.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
The Biggest Challenges Expected by Home Builders in 2026According to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 84% of home builders felt the most significant challenge builders faced in 2025 was high interest rates and 65% anticipate interest rates will remain a problem in 2026.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 13, 2026
Inflation Eased in JanuaryInflation eased to an eight-month low in January, confirming a continued downward trend. Though most Consumer Price Index (CPI) components have resolved shutdown-related distortions from last fall, the shelter index will remain affected through April due to the imputation method used for housing costs. The shelter index is likely to show larger increases in the coming months.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
Existing Home Sales Retreat Amid Low InventoryExisting home sales fell in January to a more than two-year low after December’s strong rebound, as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter storms weighed on activity. Despite mortgage rates trending lower and wage growth outpacing price gains, limited resale supply kept many buyers on the sidelines.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
Residential Building Worker Wages Slow in 2025 Amid Cooling Housing ActivityWage growth for residential building workers moderated notably in 2025, reflecting a broader cooling in housing activity and construction labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both nominal and real wages remained modest during the fourth quarter, signaling a shift from the rapid post-pandemic expansion to a slower-growth phase.