October’s total construction hiring added just 8,000 jobs to the construction labor force from the month prior. This latest reading was the second weakest of 2024, beating only April’s 5,000 job loss reading.

However, October’s paltry result comes immediately after two consecutive months of strong job gains. Monthly job gains in 2024 have averaged just shy of 20,000. This is only slightly below the 3-year average of 21,000.

The growth in nonresidential sub-trades, at 14,000 jobs, underpinned the month’s result with only minimal assistance from residential and nonresidential building gains, which combined gained around 2,000 jobs. Residential sub-trades and engineering/civil jobs fell during the month by 7,000 and 1,000, respectively.

Hourly wages and weekly hours worked continue to make construction an attractive industry for laborers.

Chart of weekly construction earnings compared to weekly total private earnings. Image: ConstructConnect

October’s average hourly construction wage increased to $38.72 while the average number of hours worked per week fell slightly to 39. In comparison, the average hourly wage of all private sector workers increased to $35.46, and weekly hours worked held steady at 34.3. The combination of these trends amounted to a weekly average construction wage of $1,510, a $294 weekly pay premium compared to the average private-sector laborer.

Read the Construction Economy Snapshot for more details on construction labor, trend graphs, and regional analysis.