Total construction employment accelerated to a 6-month high, adding 15,000 jobs in June.
Nonresidential Building and Residential Building sectors reported minor construction employment declines, each losing fewer than 1,000 jobs
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.
Nonresidential Building and Residential Building sectors reported minor declines, each losing fewer than 1,000 jobs
Sub-trades Residential added 6,000 jobs
Sub-trades Nonresidential added 12,000 jobs
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.
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:
The average construction worker now produces $210.7K in annualized output.
This is a slight dip from the peak of $211.8K in mid-2024.
As a result, inflation-adjusted construction output has remained steady at $1.75 trillion in 2025.
Average hourly construction wages climbed to $39.59, while total private sector wages fell to $35.19.
Weekly hours worked were slightly down to:
38.9 hours for construction workers
34.2 hours for all private sector workers
Weekly earnings:
Construction: $1,540
Private sector average: $1,241
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.