Construction job openings climbed to 298,000 at the end of May, the highest level in 10 months, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). Open positions increased by 32,000 from April and were up 76,000 compared to a year ago.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said the increase likely reflects strong demand for specialized trades supporting data center construction—particularly electricians—rather than broad-based hiring across the industry.
Despite the rise in job openings, hiring activity remained sluggish. The construction hiring rate fell to 3.5%, matching February’s record low, while layoffs increased and fewer workers voluntarily left their jobs, signaling softer labor demand. Even so, contractors continue to express confidence in expanding their workforce in the months ahead, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index.
