Construction hiring rebounded in November, signaling that labor demand has steadied after a slow start to the year. Job growth over the past three months has reversed earlier losses, with tens of thousands of positions added since late summer. Much of this improvement has come from nonresidential construction, where large projects continue to drive staffing needs despite ongoing weakness in residential construction employment.
Specialty trade contractors led the hiring gains, supported by sustained demand for large nonresidential builds and increased activity in sectors like data centers, which boosted electrician hiring. This momentum contrasts with the broader U.S. labor market, which remains softer overall, with rising unemployment and uneven job growth. While construction employment is expanding across more regions, many contractors still face challenges in finding skilled workers.
