People trying to make a plan for their future, whether they’re a recent high school graduate or someone looking at a mid-life career change, are often looking for growing industries. They want to invest in a field where new skilled workers are in-demand, offering more employment opportunities. And one industry seeing that is construction. 

H2: Construction Labor Shortages in 2026 

This past January, Associated Builders and Contractors—a national construction trade association—released the results of their own proprietary model, which showed that the industry needs to attract 349,000 new workers in 2026. In 2027, that need is projected to grow to 456,000 new workers to meet employment demand. They calculated these numbers by using the historical relationship between inflation-adjusted construction spending growth and payroll construction employment. 

This isn’t the only place where we’re seeing these kinds of results. The Home Builders Institute Construction Labor Market Report dropped in Fall 2025, and these are some of their key findings: 

  • New research from the National Association of Home Builders estimates that the skilled labor shortage will cost around $10.8 billion per year.
  • The estimated amount of construction workers needed is approximately 723,00 per year.
  • Reflecting the ongoing labor shortage and strong demand, the wages for nonsupervisory workers trended higher, rising 9.2% in July 2025, substantially outpacing inflation and wage growth for the overall sector. 

According to a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and NCCER, construction worker shortages are the leading cause of project delays right now. Forty-five percent of respondents in that survey reported experiencing project delays due to their own worker shortages or their subcontractors’ worker shortages. Seventy-eight percent of them experienced at least one project that had been delayed over the previous twelve months.  

From the news release by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): 

“As the survey results show, construction workforce shortages aren’t just a problem for the construction industry,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, during a virtual media briefing to release the results. “Construction projects of all types are being delayed because there aren’t enough qualified workers available for firms to hire.” 

Contractors and construction firms are speaking out about this issue, too. In the article on AGC, industry called for more funding for construction education to help onboard new workers into the industry. Ninety-two percent of these contractors and construction firms reported that they are having a hard time filling open positions, with 80% of firms having openings for salaried workers. 

H2: What This Means for You 

The labor shortage in the construction industry is a good sign for people who are looking to enter the field. Contractors, firms, and other employers are hungry to find skilled, trained workers to fill vital job openings, which means that if you are currently in or about to enroll in a construction job training program, you could be looking at a favorable job market post-graduation. It obviously will vary from state to state, depending on what job you’re training for, but overall, construction is a career field geared for growth. 

In a recent article on the job search website Indeed about “21 Skilled Trade Jobs In Demand,” multiple construction careers appeared, including: 

According to the latest Occupational Outlook Handbook by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in this industry is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2034. They’re estimating almost 650,000 openings each year on average across the country. And certain states are seeing even higher growth. 

The staffing firm 360X Staffing found that in Texas, for example, more construction jobs were added in 2024 than any other state. And the three occupations facing the biggest shortages in Texas were: 

H2: Your Future in Construction 

The current labor crunch in the construction industry opens up new career pathways for a lot of people looking for a better future. At ASC Technical Institute, we offer a short-term, hands-on Heavy Equipment Operator training program that can help you get started in this field. 

If this kind of work sounds like your thing—practical, active, and rewarding—it’s a great time to get started. Contact ASCTI at 915-505-6488 to learn more about our Heavy Equipment Operator program and get started on a career in construction.