The U.S. construction sector continued to expand its workforce in May, with total seasonally adjusted employment rising to 8.337 million workers, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The figure marks a steady increase from 8.296 million workers in February, highlighting continued labor demand across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects despite broader economic uncertainty.
Hiring activity accelerated during the period. Construction employers added an estimated 402,000 workers in May, up from 241,000 hires recorded in February. At the same time, job openings climbed to 270,000, indicating that many firms are still actively seeking additional labor to meet project requirements.
Labor market conditions also improved. The unemployment rate among individuals previously employed in construction declined from 6.9% in February to 4.1% in May, suggesting stronger workforce participation and hiring momentum during the spring months.
Pay levels continued to edge higher. Average hourly earnings for all construction employees reached $41.20 in May, compared with $40.70 three months earlier. Workers in production and nonsupervisory roles earned an average of $38.97 per hour.
Construction laborers remained the largest occupational group within the industry, accounting for nearly 930,000 jobs in 2025. Electricians and carpenters also represented significant portions of the workforce, with employment exceeding 599,000 and 570,000 respectively. The data points to an industry that continues to add workers while maintaining wage growth. Although employers still face challenges related to labor availability and project execution, recent employment trends indicate that construction activity remains resilient across much of the United States.
Federal statistics show that workforce growth has remained consistent throughout the first half of 2026, reinforcing construction’s role as one of the country’s largest goods-producing industries.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Link: https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag23.htm
