Construction job openings rose to end 2025

Group 1 - The construction hiring rate improved to 4.2% in December, surpassing the job openings rate of 3.4% [4] - Despite the hiring rate increase, demand for construction workers remains low, with fewer hires in 2024 and 2025 compared to 2015-2016 [4] - The overall U.S. construction unemployment rate decreased by 0.2% year over year to 5% in December, with most states showing lower rates than last year and pre-pandemic levels [6] Group 2 - Construction job openings rose to 292,000 in December, an increase of 8,000 from November and 87,000 from the same period last year [8] - Economic uncertainties and project-related concerns continue to hinder construction hiring, despite the increase in job openings [8] - Factors such as tariffs, supply disruptions, rising insurance costs, and immigration enforcement are contributing to a shortage of skilled workers, leading to increased wage pressures [7]