ABC: Construction Quits Surge to 198,000 in September as Labor Shortages Reemerge

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The construction industry had 298,000 job openings on the last day of September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings increased by 36,000 last month and are up by 92,000 from the same time last year. “Nearly 200,000 construction workers quit their jobs in September,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “That’s the most in any month since the first half of 2023 and a […]

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Data Centers Continue to Drive Nonresidential Spending Higher in September

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National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.6% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.325 trillion. Spending was up on a monthly basis in 8 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was up 1.1%, while public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.1% in September. “Nonresidential construction spending grew for the sixth consecutive month in September,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “As has been the case for several months, data centers accounted for virtually all of that increase. Excluding […]

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ABC: All 50 States Had a Construction Unemployment Rate Below 10% in September

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The national September not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate was 3.5%, a 0.3% decrease from one year ago. According to a state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors, all 50 states had a construction unemployment rate below 10% and all but three states (Alaska, Minnesota and North Dakota) had a rate below 6%. National NSA payroll construction employment was 103,000 higher than in September 2025. Seasonally adjusted payroll construction employment was 8.4 million, or 9.9% above its pre-pandemic peak of 7.6 million. Estimated state construction unemployment rates were lower than their pre-pandemic […]

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One-Half of Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs Over Past 12 Months

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Construction employment increased in half — 180, or 50% out of 360 — of metro areas between September 2025 and September 2026, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that a few types of projects — particularly data centers, power projects and some types of manufacturing plants — are driving demand for construction. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (13,800 jobs or 5%), followed by Baton Rouge, La. (12,300 jobs, 27%); St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. (10,700 jobs, 13%) and Columbus, Ohio (10,700 jobs, 17%). […]

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ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Rises Again in September on Data Center Strength

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Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.7 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 21 to Oct. 5. The reading is up 0.2 months on both a monthly and yearly basis.  Commercial and institutional backlog, which dipped in the middle of 2026, rose to the highest level since July 2025. Heavy industrial backlog, while still up 0.5 months over the past year, fell to its lowest level since March. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index reading for staffing increased in September, while the readings for sales and profit margins fell. The readings […]

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