Chicago Construction News staff writer
The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 just to meet demand for services, according to a proprietary model released Tuesday by Associated Builders and Contractors. That number is projected to rise to 456,000 in 2027 as construction spending growth resumes for the first time in years.
ABC’s model converts anticipated increases in construction spending into additional labor demand, estimating roughly 3,450 new jobs per $1 billion in added spending. The analysis factors in current job openings, industry unemployment, and projected retirements…