The construction industry had 251,000 job openings at the end of August, down 48,000 from July but up 38,000 from August 2025, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The August total was the lowest since March. Construction employers also reported 99,000 layoffs during the month, the fewest since the BLS began tracking the data in December 2000.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said the trends point to declining demand for and supply of construction workers, with labor conditions varying across market segments.
Weakness in residential construction contrasts with continued activity in areas such as data center construction, which is contributing to demand for skilled workers. Electricians and HVAC workers remain among the trades facing shortages.
