The number of open positions in construction in January was flat year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing. However, recent gains for nonresidential construction combined with soft conditions for housing have left the number of job openings in construction flat.
The number of open jobs for the overall economy increased in January, rising from 5.83 million in December to 6.20 million in January. The January reading was down from a year ago (6.55 million) due to a slowing labor market.
Previous NAHB analysis indicated that this number had to fall below eight million on a sustained basis for the Federal Reserve to move forward on interest rate reductions. With estimates remaining below eight million for national job openings, the Fed, in theory, should be able to cut further.
The number of open construction sector jobs was relatively flat, declining slightly from 245,000 in December to 231,000 in January. This total was flat compared to a year ago (232,000). The chart below notes the declining trend that has been in place for unfilled construction jobs since the Fed raised the federal funds rate and home building weakened. While home building employment was declining during the second half of 2025, other subsectors of the construction industry have expanded (e.g. data centers).
The construction job openings rate decreased to 2.7% in January, equal to the 2.7% rate estimated a year ago.
The layoff rate in construction declined to 1.0% in January. The quits rate decreased to 1.7% for the month.