Q1 2023: Construction Labor Updates — Centerline Construction Estimating

*The construction labor market remains strong and gained 25,000 jobs in January, 2023 continuing the industry’s long streak of monthly employment increases. [2]*

All but one segment in the construction industry recorded job increases in January. The most growth was seen by the nonresidential specialty trades contractor’s category, which added 16,500 jobs. The outlier was heavy and civil construction, whose employment declined by 1,200 positions. [2]

The latest annual Bureau of Labor Statistics report on union membership (released Jan. 19 2023), shows that in private-sector construction, union members dipped to 11.7% of the total workforce in 2022. Down from 12.6% in the 2021. The lowest rate in ten years. [4]

[2] Ichniowski, T. (2023, February 3). Construction Employment Climbs Again, Up 25K in January. Engineering News-Record. https://www.enr.com/articles/55839-construction-employment-climbs-again-up-25k-in-january

[3] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, February 3). FRED Economic Data. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/USCONS

[4] Ichniowski, T. (2023a, January 20). BLS: Union Construction Workforce Share Dips To Lowest in Years. Engineering News-Record. https://www.enr.com/articles/55753-bls-union-construction-workforce-share-dips-to-lowest-in-years