Industry at a Glance: Construction Gains Forward Momentum

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construction industry data for december 2025

Construction experienced a slight rebound to end out 2025, indicated by increases in construction employment and projected starts, according to the latest available data.

While the publication of U.S. economic data continues to lag as a result of last year’s extended government shutdown, the numbers that are available give us a sense of the construction industry’s health. Construction employment, for instance, reached its highest point of 2025 in November (ie, the latest date for which data is available) with 8.33 million jobs filled, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is approximately 28,000 more than the year’s second highest peaked, reached in both September and May, and despite unemployment reaching 4.1% in November.

Construction spending continued its decline in July (ie, the latest date for which data is available), falling to $2.14 billion, according to the Census Bureau. However, while it is, thus far, the lowest-recorded spending month in 2025, it does represent a slight increase compared to the same time last year, when spending was $2.13 billion.

The most positive news for construction in 2025 came from Dodge Construction Network’s Momentum Index, which tracks the value of nonresidential building projects entering the planning stage.

construction industry data for december 2025
There were 227,000 construction job openings in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that is a slight (ie, 1,000-job) increase from September 2025, it is ~46,000 fewer than the same time in 2024.

“Nonresidential construction starts (excluding manufacturing and transportation) are projected to accelerate in 2027 alongside sustained planning momentum in data center, healthcare and recreational building construction throughout 2025,” stated Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting at Dodge Construction Network, who shared her comments in a release accompanying the release of the December Index.

On the commercial side, the Index saw a 3.4% month-over-month gain and a 37% jump year over year. The institutional side saw a ~15% gain from November 2025 and a 43% increase from December 2024.

While the Index suggests strong activity for 2027, Martin added that despite economic risks and uncertainty, there is reason to believe that the industry could see a boost even in the immediate future.

“Inflationary pressures will further support nominal activity levels, even as economic risks remain elevated,” she said. “Notably, projects moved through the planning process marginally quicker in 25-Q4 (16 months vs. 18 months in 25-Q3), offering a modest boost to our near-term outlook.”