Eye On Housing
After significant data revisions for 2018, new data from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) indicate that construction job openings remained near a cycle high as of January, an indication that the skilled labor shortage continues into 2019. The open position rate (job openings as a percentage of total employment plus current job openings) held steady at 3.9%. The… Read More ›
After a strong gain, monthly growth in payroll employment slowed sharply in February. Total payroll employment increased by 20,000 in February, while the unemployment rate decreased to 3.8%. Residential construction employment decreased by 10,900 in February, after the 22,500 increase in January and the decline of 900 jobs in December 2018 due to the downwardly revised December data. The total… Read More ›
Despite the housing-focused slowdown during the second half of 2018, the count of unfilled jobs in the construction sector surged in December. According to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and NAHB analysis, the number of open construction sector jobs increased to a cycle high of 382,000 in December. This is significantly higher than the December 2017 estimate of… Read More ›
The U.S. economy entered 2019 with a strong gain in payroll employment. Total employment increased by 304,000 in January, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.0%, reflecting the impact of the partial government shutdown. Residential construction employment increased by 23,900 at the beginning of 2019, the largest gain since February 2018. The total construction industry (both residential and nonresidential)… Read More ›
The count of unfilled jobs in the construction sector decreased in November, as building activity declined with higher interest rates at the end of 2018. According to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and NAHB analysis, the number of open construction sector jobs fell to 278,000 in November. The October estimate was revised up to a cycle… Read More ›
At the end of 2018, job growth surged. Total employment increased by 312,000 in December and the unemployment rate rose to 3.9%; however, this increase was good news because it was generated by growth in the labor force. Residential construction employment increased by 1,700 in December. The total construction industry (residential and nonresidential) added 280,000 jobs in 2018, more than… Read More ›
The count of unfilled jobs in the construction sector increased in October, although the total remained lower than the August estimate, which marked a post-recession high. According to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and NAHB analysis, the number of open construction sector jobs expanded to 292,000 in October. The open position rate (job openings as a… Read More ›
After a big job gain last month, hiring slowed in November. Total employment increased by 155,000 and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7%. Residential construction employment increased by 7,900 in November. The industry has added 205,000 jobs since 2017. According to the Employment Situation for November released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), total nonfarm payroll employment rose… Read More ›
The count of unfilled jobs in the construction sector pulled back in September, off a upwardly revised August estimate that marked a post-recession high. According to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and NAHB analysis, the number of open construction sector jobs decreased to 278,000 in September. The August estimate of open construction jobs was revised up… Read More ›
In the tenth month of 2018, total employment increased by 250,000 and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7%, suggesting a very strong job market. Residential construction employment increased by 16,600 in October and has risen by 143,500 over the last 12 months. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 250,000, following the increase of 118,000 jobs in September, according to… Read More ›