January’s total construction hiring added 4,000 jobs to the construction labor force from the month prior. The latest reading is the third lowest among monthly readings over the last 12 months. For reference, a year ago 14,000 construction jobs were created at the start of the year.
The industry accelerated hiring through March, when a monthly peak of 34,000 new jobs was created. The last major monthly surge in construction jobs was reported in September 2024, when 30,000 new jobs were created.
In the four months following September, the industry added only 24,000 jobs. Hourly wages and weekly hours worked continue to make construction an attractive industry. The average hourly construction wage surpassed the $39 threshold for the first time in January with $39.07.
Weekly construction and total private earnings. Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Chart: ConstructConnect
However, the average number of hours worked per week fell yet again by one-tenth of an hour to 38.7. In comparison, the average hourly wage of all private sector workers increased to $35.87 while weekly hours worked also fell by one-tenth of an hour to 34.1.
The combination of these trends amounted to average weekly construction earnings of $1,512, a premium of $289, or 24% a week, compared to the average private-sector laborer’s compensation.