Construction Needs 349,000 New Workers in 2026. Where Civil and Earthworks Fit

Construction as a whole has a labour problem, and infrastructure and utility civil work sits right inside it. If you run earthworks, foundations or siteworks crews, the headline numbers are worth knowing, because they shape what you can hire and what you will pay to do it.

The headline figures

Associated Builders and Contractors' workforce model, as reported by Construction Executive, says the industry must attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026. The same model puts the 2027 requirement at about 456,000 as construction activity is expected to rebound. The model draws on construction spending forecasts, job openings, unemployment and workforce retirements, with elevated retirement rates named as a major driver of 2026 demand.

The 2026 figure is lower than in recent years, which some read as a sign that pressure is easing. The 2027 jump suggests otherwise. Employers who treat this year as a breather and delay hiring may find the market tighter just when they need it.

Why utility and infrastructure civil work feels it first

General construction numbers hide the fact that some segments are more exposed than others. Utility-scale civil work has several things working against it.

Demand is concentrated. Grid expansion, substation builds, data center connections and renewable interconnection all need the same earthworks and foundations capacity at the same time.

The skills are specific. A superintendent who can run a substation yard build, with tight grading tolerances, grounding grids and coordination with electrical crews, is not the same as a general site manager. Heavy equipment operators with experience on utility corridors are similarly hard to replace.

Projects are often remote. The best-qualified candidates are frequently not near the site, so relocation or rotational arrangements become part of the offer.

The civil roles employers tell us are hardest to fill

From our work in civil and transmission and distribution recruitment, these tend to take longest.

• Civil estimators. Specialist estimating for utility and infrastructure work is a shallow pool. A good estimator protects margin on every bid, which is why a gap here hurts so much.
• Civil superintendents and general foremen. People who can run crews, manage subcontractors and hold a schedule in difficult ground.
• Project managers and construction managers. Particularly those who have delivered utility-owner work and understand the reporting and safety expectations.
• Foundations and drilled shaft leads. Specialists in pier and pile installation for towers and equipment.
• Survey and quality professionals. Often overlooked until a tolerance problem appears.

How to hire in a tight civil market

Be honest about the site. Candidates move faster when they know the location, duration, travel pattern and project type from the start. Vague postings lose people to clearer ones.

Speed matters. In a market where good candidates have several options, a slow process loses them. Shorten the interview loop and be ready to make an offer within days of the final interview.

Retained searches work for hard-to-fill roles. For a role like a civil estimator or senior superintendent, a focused search with a dedicated recruiter often produces a shortlist faster than a general posting. We have run searches of this kind in under a month.

Do not forget your own people. Internal progression, support for superintendents moving into project management and pay reviews for key crew leads all reduce the number of roles you have to fill externally.

Flex the model. A permanent core with temporary crew for peak periods, or a multi-hire approach when a programme needs a full team stood up quickly, can keep capacity matched to the work.

For civil professionals

If you work in earthworks, foundations or siteworks, the market is in your favour. It is a good moment to look at what is available, whether you want a step up, a different sector or a role with more predictable travel. Our open roles include civil positions across the US.

Talk to InfraRec

If you are struggling to staff a civil or siteworks programme, contact InfraRec and tell us what you need. You can also read more about our team.