Eye On Housing
After seven consecutive months’ job gains, nonfarm payroll employment fell by 140,000 in December as virus cases surged. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7% in December. Total construction industry (both residential and non-residential) employment totaled 7.4 million in December. Residential construction employment rose by 22,700 in December to 3.0 million. In the past eight months, residential construction added 472,500… Read More ›
Job openings in construction slowed again in October, as the sector experiences a two-tier recovery. As detailed in the November BLS employment data, over the past seven months, job gains in residential construction offset 96% of the jobs lost in March and April, in contrast to the 58% job recovery in nonresidential construction. On net, this has left job openings… Read More ›
Job gains slowed sharply in November as the COVID-19 surge continued. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 245,000 in November, and the unemployment rate fell to 6.7%. Total construction industry (both residential and non-residential) employment totaled 7.4 million in November. Residential construction employment rose by 15,400 in November to 2.9 million. In the past seven months, job gains in residential construction offset… Read More ›
The construction labor market experienced a reduced level of turnover in the September BLS JOLTS (Job Openings and Labor Turnover) data. The construction sector hiring rate slowed somewhat in September, coming in at 5.3%, after 5.5% gains in August and July. The peak rate of hiring in 2020 occurred in May (9.7%). Construction sector layoffs have been low since May… Read More ›
According to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey data and analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $49,030 and the top 25% make at least $68,690. In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $39,810, while the top quartile (top 25%) makes at least $64,240…. Read More ›
The recovery of overall labor market continued but at a slow pace. In October, 638,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added, and the unemployment rate fell to 6.9%. However, October residential construction employment was 11,500 higher than a year ago, marking the first year-over-year gain since the recession of 2020. Residential construction employment rose by 23,800 in October to 2.9 million… Read More ›
The shock and fallout to the construction labor market from the recession of 2020 continued in early Fall as housing activity strengthened due to low interest rates. After an accelerated pace of layoffs in March and April, construction hiring roared back in May and June, per data from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). More recent July… Read More ›
Employment growth slowed in September. Total payroll employment rose by 661,000 and the unemployment rate fell to 7.9% for the month. The U.S. labor market continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, but admittedly now at a slower pace. Residential construction employment rose by 22,100 in September to 2.9 million as housing remains a bright spot. Total construction industry (both… Read More ›
After an accelerated pace of layoffs in March and April, construction hiring roared back in May, increasing the count of open jobs in July per data from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The rebound for construction is concentrated in the residential building sector. The pace of construction rehiring increased the open jobs rate to 4.4% in… Read More ›
In August, total payroll employment rose by 1.4 million and the unemployment rate fell to 8.4%. The U.S. labor market continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Residential construction employment rose by 27,700 in August to 2.9 million. Total construction industry (both residential and nonresidential) employment rebounded to 7.2 million in August. It is worth noting, however, that nonresidential construction… Read More ›