Industry Insight graphic: a soft market, a tight one for leaders. Construction unemployment of 3.1% in August 2026, a record low, and 75% of firms seeking superintendents struggling to hire one, over the New York skyline

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More US construction firms cut headcount than added it over the past year. In the 2026 Workforce Survey from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and NCCER, 37% of respondents reduced headcount by at least 5%, against 34% that increased it by at least 5%.

Yet the shortage of experienced people has not eased. 75% of firms looking for a superintendent say they are struggling to hire one, and for project managers and supervisors the figure is 74%. Construction unemployment fell to a record-low 3.1% in August, according to AGC's analysis of federal data.

Skills: half of respondents say available candidates are not qualified, because they lack the skills, certificates or licenses the job needs.

Data centers: among firms reporting on their effects, 58% say data-center projects have increased competition for skilled workers.

Retirement: in our view, senior leaders are leaving faster than they are being replaced.

3.1%construction unemployment, August 2026, a record low.AGC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data
75%of firms seeking superintendents struggle to hire one.AGC and NCCER, 2026 Workforce Survey
58%of firms reporting on data-center effects say competition for skilled workers has increased.AGC and NCCER, 2026 Workforce Survey

What It Means for Hiring

The market has softened. Demand for proven leaders has not.

Are you finding senior hires harder than a year ago? What is driving it in your market? We would like to hear from you.

Sources

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