Construction Jobs Rebounded in January
Summary
The U.S. construction industry added 33,000 jobs in January 2026, primarily in the non-residential sector, marking a rebound after a year of job losses. However, future growth may depend on policy clarity regarding infrastructure investments.
Why It Matters
This article highlights the recovery of construction jobs, particularly in the non-residential sector, which is crucial for economic stability. Understanding these trends helps stakeholders anticipate labor market shifts and informs policy discussions on infrastructure investment.
Key Takeaways
- Construction jobs increased by 33,000 in January 2026, with a 0.5% year-over-year growth.
- The non-residential sector accounted for the majority of job gains, adding 27,900 positions.
- Despite the rebound, the industry faced a net loss of 1,000 jobs in 2025, marking a significant downturn.
- Future job growth may be threatened without clearer infrastructure and energy investment policies.
- The residential sector saw a decline, losing 43,600 jobs over the past year.
NewsCompaniesWorkforceFinance Construction Jobs Rebounded in January By Alisa Zevin U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Associated Builders and Contractors Construction jobs increased 0.5% year-over-year. February 11, 2026 The construction industry added an estimated 33,000 jobs in January, according to data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Year-over-year, construction employment included 44,000 more jobs than in January 2025.Since December 2025, the non-residential sector has experienced the bulk of the increase, adding 27,900 jobs, while the residential sector was up by 5,900 positions. The vast majority of those jobs came from within the non-residential specialty trade contractors category, with 25,100 new positions filled. The only category to see a loss in January was non-residential heavy and civil engineering, which was down by 800 jobs.“The construction industry, much like the broader labor market, rebounded in January,” Anirban Basu, chief economist of Associated Builders and Contractors, said in a statement. “While that’s a welcome development, the industry lost 1,000 jobs in 2025, the first calendar year decline since 2020 and 2010 before that.”On a yearly basis, all gains came in the non-residential sector, where 87,000 jobs were added. Residential employment fell by 43,600 jobs, resulting in a net overall positive of 44,000 jobs.“It’s encouraging to see solid construction job gains in January after a year of uneven employment,” Ken Simons...
