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
Awards | Membership | Associate Members Committee
Sep 08, 2026
How Winning an Associate Award Can Benefit You and Your Business
Every year, NAHB honors its top two Associate members for their achievements and essential work in the field with two awards: Associate of the Year and Associate Advocate of BUILD-PAC.
Economics
Sep 08, 2026
How Are Rising Costs Impacting the Cost of Single-Family Homes?
The housing industry is experiencing elevated costs across the board — from land to labor and building materials. NAHB’s Economics team is in the process of measuring how these rising costs impact the cost to build single-family homes. And we need your help.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Sep 08, 2026
Single-Family Home Construction Time Declines in 2025
Building a new single-family home took less time in 2025 compared to the previous three years. On average, it now takes 8.8 months from start to finish. That time includes 1.4 months for authorization to start construction and another 7.4 months to finish construction.
Economics
Sep 07, 2026
Shorter Apartment Construction Time in 2025
The average time needed to complete construction of a multifamily building after obtaining authorization edged down in 2025, according to the 2025 Survey of Construction (SOC) from the Census Bureau.
Economics
Sep 04, 2026
Beating Expectations: U.S. Economy Adds 162,000 Jobs in August
The U.S. labor market rebounded in August, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 162,000 and upward revisions adding 55,000 jobs to June and July. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, as both employment and the labor force participation rate rose over the month.