New HBI Report Shows an Increase in Demand for Construction Labor
Additional skilled construction workers will be needed to reduce the nation's housing deficit during the second part of this decade, a shortfall NAHB estimates to total 1.5 million homes. The latest Construction Labor Market Report from the Home Builders Institute (HBI) provides an overview of the current state of the nation’s construction labor market.
Key findings in the report include:
- There are currently 8.2 million payroll construction workers.
- The estimated, required amount of construction worker hiring is approximately 723,000 per year, according to NAHB analysis of BLS data and projections.
- The number of open construction sector jobs was above 400,000 at the start of the year. The count fell in March.
- Average hourly wages in the overall construction industry have increased 5% over the last year, with average wage levels exceeding national private sector averages.
- Women make up a growing share of the construction employment, reaching 10.9% in 2022. This is a noticeable increase from 9.1% in 2017 and just below the record high share of 11% recorded in 2021.
NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz and HBI CEO Ed Brady discuss the report’s key findings, trends and possible solutions for the labor shortage in an HBI Podcast. To learn more about the residential construction labor market, view the report.
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy
May 22, 2025
House Approves Tax Bill with Key Housing and Business ProvisionsBy a vote of 215-214, the House early in the morning on May 22 narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, sweeping tax and domestic policy legislation that NAHB believes is very positive for small businesses, real estate and our members.
Economics | Indices
May 22, 2025
Income Growth Helps Mute Existing Affordability ConstraintsDespite solid income gains and lower home prices, Americans still continue to face major housing affordability challenges, according to the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). The CHI results from the first quarter of 2025 show that a family earning the nation’s median income of $104,200 needed 36% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning only 50% of median income, would have to spend 72% of their earnings to pay for the same new home.
Latest Economic News
Economics
May 22, 2025
Existing Home Sales Fall in AprilDespite the brief retreat in mortgage rates and increased supply, existing home sales dropped to 7-month low in April, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This unexpected decline suggests buyers’ activity continues to be constrained by economic uncertainty and ongoing affordability challenges even with improved market conditions.
Economics
May 22, 2025
Income Growth Helps Mute Existing Affordability ConstraintsDespite solid income gains and lower home prices, Americans still continue to face major housing affordability challenges, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).
Economics
May 21, 2025
Gains for Multifamily Missing Middle over Last YearThe missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, such as townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties.