According to new federal data analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Texas is leading the nation in construction job growth both annually and monthly. Between June 2025 and June 2026, the state added 24,800 construction jobs, marking a 2.7% increase. The expansion reflects broader regional strength in residential building. Recent Housing Starts data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the South, which includes Texas, accounted for the majority of new privately-owned home construction nationwide. In June, 741,000 privately-owned housing starts were recorded in the South out…
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Construction drives job market growth in Louisiana
Louisiana added 16,700 jobs over the past year, ranking fourth in the South, with much of the growth coming from construction. This is a record high for the state, with payrolls topping two million employees for the first time. “The state had a record number of economic announcements last year and all of those look like they’re flowing from announcement into actual hiring of construction workers,” said Adam Knapp with Leaders for a Better Louisiana. “It’s across the state.” “Our growth and profits have increased dramatically over the past couple…
Read More21st Century ROAD to Housing Act becomes law
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) announced its support of the enactment of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The landmark housing package includes more than 45 provisions aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, modernizing federal housing programs and giving state and local governments additional tools to support residential construction. “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act demonstrates what Congress can accomplish when lawmakers work together to address the housing supply and affordability challenges facing communities across the country,” said Jonathan…
Read MoreRemodeling market remains positive in second quarter
In the second quarter of 2026, the National Association of Home Builders Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 61, down one point compared to the previous quarter. Even with this slight decline, remodeler sentiment remains the standout sector within the housing industry. With current mortgage rates above the median outstanding rate for existing homeowners, the incentive to remodel instead of purchasing a new home persists due to this lock-in effect. The RMI is based on a survey that asks remodelers to rate various aspects of the residential remodeling…
Read MoreConstruction retains hiring momentum in June
According to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry added 11,000 jobs in June 2026. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 64,000 jobs, an increase of 0.8%. “Today’s jobs report was full of positive signs,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The nonresidential segment continued to add jobs in June and has grown several times faster than the economy-wide average over the past 12 months. At the same time, the supply of labor appears adequate…
Read MoreConstruction job openings increase
According to a new survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of open positions in the construction sector increased in May 2026. The number of open jobs for the overall economy fell flat in May, remaining near 7.59 million. The May reading was also measurably higher compared to a year ago, at 7.31 million. The recent increase in job openings for the overall economy indicates that the labor market is holding steady. The construction job openings rate increased to 3.5% in May, up from the 2.6% rate estimated…
Read MoreExisting home sales rise to a 5-month high
According to the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index, existing home sales rose 3.2% in May to a five-month high of 4.17 million. The spring selling season initially started slowly before gaining traction towards the end. Chicago continued to lead in existing home sales, followed by New York City and Cleveland. Meanwhile, pending home sales climbed 3.8% with a 4.8% year-over-year gain. Looking ahead, mortgage rates have hovered near 6.5% for six consecutive weeks, pushed higher by renewed inflation concerns and elevated energy prices. At the same time, listing prices…
Read MoreJobs-to-permits ratio highlights housing gap
A new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders analyzed the jobs-to-permits ratio. The analysis used net new jobs created in 2024 and measured against housing permits issued in 2023 to gauge the typical time required for permitted units to move through the construction pipeline and reach the market. Using this framework, the analysis revealed that the U.S. economy added approximately 1.8 million net new jobs in 2024 relative to 2023, while total housing permits issued in 2023 reached 1.51 million units. This results in an overall jobs-to-permits ratio…
Read More21st Century ROAD to Housing Act reaches executive branch
After the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives on June 23, 2026, the bill reached the executive branch’s desk. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauded the passage and now urges the legislation to be signed. This once-in-a-generation housing package includes more than 50 sections addressing housing supply, financing, disaster recovery and other priorities. NAHB provided input to Congress on many parts of the bill, but five provisions are especially important to members: land-use and zoning, aging housing stock, multifamily financing,…
Read MoreConstruction activity softens
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’s spring Construction Survey, construction activity has softened in the first months of 2026. Higher material costs and ongoing economic uncertainty are the driving factors, with more than half of respondents, approximately 54%, reporting decreased activity in the industry overall. However, signs point to optimism for the remainder of 2026 within residential construction. Despite tough conditions for some, roughly four in 10 businesses reported hiring more construction workers and increasing hours for existing employees in advance of the busy season. In general, labor…
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