Construction job openings rebounded sharply in November, recovering from what industry economists described as an “extraordinarily low level” the month prior, according to new federal labor data analyzed by Associated Builders and Contractors.
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Construction employers reported 292,000 open positions at the end of November, an increase of 90,000 jobs from October and 15,000 more openings than a year earlier, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase marks the first year-over-year gain in construction job openings since July, signaling modest improvement after several months of subdued labor demand.
“The November increase marks the first year-over-year gain in construction job openings since July,” said Anirban Basu, ABC’s chief economist. While the rebound is notable, Basu cautioned that hiring activity remains historically weak compared to pre-pandemic norms.
“While these dynamics suggest that demand for construction workers accelerated in November, hiring remains slower than at any point on record prior to 2020,” Basu said. “The month-to-month volatility of JOLTS data and persistently sluggish pace of hiring could temper optimism inspired by today’s release.”
Layoffs across the construction sector also declined significantly. According to the ABC analysis, the pace of construction industry layoffs fell to the lowest level recorded in 2025, matching the second-lowest rate ever recorded. Despite fewer layoffs, however, firms continue to limit new hiring amid uncertainty around future projects.
That trend aligns with commentary from the Associated General Contractors of America, which noted that many firms are taking a cautious approach to workforce decisions.
“Despite those positive trends, many firms are maintaining a ‘low-hire, low-fire stance,’” AGC said in a statement provided to Construction Dive.
AGC data shows that the construction hiring rate reached 4.1% of total employment in November, matching the same rate recorded in November 2024. That figure represents the lowest November hiring rate in the 25-year history of comparable data, reinforcing the industry’s guarded posture.
According to Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist, contractors are still advertising open positions but are reluctant to expand payrolls as economic and project-related uncertainty persists.
“The figures suggest contractors are still advertising for workers but are being cautious about adding to their current headcount,” Simonson said. He added that the hesitancy reflects a broader trend among project owners who are “delaying, canceling or scaling back projects.”
Despite near-term caution, contractors remain moderately optimistic about the months ahead. The ABC report indicates that many firms expect to expand staffing levels during the first half of 2026, particularly if financing conditions stabilize and delayed projects move forward.
While November’s rebound offers signs of stabilization after a weak October, economists warn that sustained improvement in construction hiring will likely depend on clearer project pipelines, improved economic certainty, and stronger confidence among both contractors and project owners.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando, Reporter in Construction Dive.
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