Construction Job Openings Decrease in June
Due to slowing home construction and elevated interest rates, the count of open construction sector jobs shifted lower in June, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The number of open construction sector jobs shifted notably lower from 366,000 in May to 295,000 in June. The construction job openings rate fell to 3.5% in June, the lowest rate since March 2023.
However, this shift is consistent with a somewhat cooler labor market, which is a positive sign for future inflation readings and the interest rate outlook.
In June, after revisions, the number of open jobs for the overall economy decreased slightly from 8.23 million in May to 8.18 million. This is also smaller than the 9.13 million estimate reported a year ago.
NAHB analysis indicates that this number must fall below 8 million on a sustained basis for the Federal Reserve to feel more comfortable about labor market conditions and their potential impacts on inflation. With estimates near 8 million now, this suggests rate cuts lie in the months ahead if current trends hold.
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides more details in this Eye on Housing post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Safety
Aug 11, 2026
Jobsite Safety Depends on Engaged Workers Using a Defined Plan
A key duty of owners and managers of residential construction firms is to create an environment where everyone is empowered to honestly discuss jobsite safety.
Housing Finance
Aug 10, 2026
Bank Regulators Propose Changes to Community Reinvestment Act Rules
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have proposed targeted revisions to their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 11, 2026
Existing Home Sales Fall in July
Existing home sales continued to slow in July as record-high home prices and elevated mortgage rates weighed on buyers. Mortgage rates resumed an upward trend after the ceasefire ended in early July.
Economics
Aug 11, 2026
Weaker Demand for Residential Mortgages in Second Quarter
Demand for all types of residential mortgages was weaker, while lending standards for most were essentially unchanged in the second quarter of 2026, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Economics
Aug 10, 2026
Wage Growth for Residential Building Workers Continues to Cool
Wage growth for residential building workers continued to lose momentum in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting softer housing construction activity and weaker labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both nominal and inflation-adjusted wages have weakened further, extending the cooling trend that emerged after the strong wage gains of the post-pandemic period.