KEY POINTS
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Total construction employment accelerated to a 6-month high, adding 15,000 jobs in June.
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Nonresidential Building and Residential Building sectors reported minor construction employment declines, each losing fewer than 1,000 jobs
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The wage premium in construction continues to position it as an attractive employment sector.
Construction job growth surged through June 30, 2025, with a net gain of 15,000 jobs, marking the fastest monthly increase in the past six months. This figure significantly outpaces the 12-month average monthly growth rate of 10,400 jobs, signaling renewed momentum in the sector.
Segment Highlights: Sub-Trades Drive Gains Despite Broadly Muted Activity
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Nonresidential Building and Residential Building sectors reported minor declines, each losing fewer than 1,000 jobs
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Sub-trades Residential added 6,000 jobs
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Sub-trades Nonresidential added 12,000 jobs
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Engineering Construction declined slightly by 3,000 jobs
June 2025 marks the second time this year that construction employment growth outpaced total nonfarm job growth on a percentage basis.
Year-to-Date Labor Trends: Employment Up, Productivity Flat
While total construction employment has risen by 0.4% year-to-date, this gain has been neutralized by a matching 0.4% decline in output per laborer. As of June 30, 2025:
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The average construction worker now produces $210.7K in annualized output.
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This is a slight dip from the peak of $211.8K in mid-2024.
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As a result, inflation-adjusted construction output has remained steady at $1.75 trillion in 2025.
Construction Wages Rise in June, Outpace Private Sector Pay by 24%
Average hourly construction wages climbed to $39.59, while total private sector wages fell to $35.19.
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Weekly hours worked were slightly down to:
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38.9 hours for construction workers
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34.2 hours for all private sector workers
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Weekly earnings:
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Construction: $1,540
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Private sector average: $1,241
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The collective difference of $299 represents a 24% weekly pay premium for those in the construction field.
A chart of weekly construction wages versus private sector pay illustrates that the average construction worker has a $299 weekly pay premium, or 24% higher earnings than the typical private-sector employee. Image: ConstructConnect Construction Economy Snapshot
Read the Construction Economy Snapshot for more details on construction labor, trends, and regional analysis.
