KEY POINTS
-
Construction employment grew by 33,000 jobs in January, the second largest monthly gain in over two and a half years.
-
Employment numbers have been volatile, yet wages in the construction industry continued to rise.
-
A combination of higher wages and longer hours allowed construction workers to earn approximately 25% more per week than the average private nonfarm worker.
Construction Employment Remains Volatile but Positive
Construction employment data from the latter half of 2025 comes with an important limitation, as the government shutdown disrupted data collection and reporting, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions from month-to-month figures.
However, the broader trend suggests that employment growth in the construction industry slowed significantly, with total employment increasing by less than 1% between January 2025 and January 2026.
As 2026 moves forward, more accurate data should provide a clearer picture in the months ahead.
January 2026 offers a promising start, as construction employment grew by 33,000 jobs, the second largest monthly gain in over two-and-a-half years.
We will continue to monitor employment trends in 2026 as the data becomes more consistent and reliable.
Construction Wages Continue to Rise
While employment numbers have been volatile, wages in the construction industry continued to rise.
By January 2026, average hourly wages had risen to $40.55, up 3.8% from January 2025.
Additionally, average weekly hours rose to 39.2, driving average weekly pay to $1,590, a nearly 5% increase from $1,516 a year earlier.
This combination of higher wages and longer hours allows construction workers to earn approximately 25% more per week than the average private nonfarm worker.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with ConstructConnect News for construction industry news and construction market analysis to stay ahead of what’s building next.
About ConstructConnect
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information that construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our keen insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, building product manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions, streamline preconstruction workflows, and maximize their productivity. Our newest offerings—including our comprehensive, AI-assisted software—help our clients find, bid on, and win more projects.
ConstructConnect operates as a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
