The 2025-Q2 Per Diem and Pay Insights Report
5/17/2025
Ever stare at an open requisition and think, “Is this next candidate going to ghost too?”
You’ve posted the job. Chased leads. Juggled urgent calls from project managers needing someone yesterday. Still—another no-show, another delay, another surge of stress. If hiring feels like a rigged game, you're not imagining it.
Quick Win: Labor availability surged 92%. Your hiring odds just improved.
But what if the data revealed a different story—one that helps you regain control?
The brand-new "2025-Q2 Per Diem & Pay Insights" report from RoadDogJobs just dropped, and it’s more than stats. It’s a recruiting playbook built for skilled trades pros who are ready to stop guessing and start delivering.
What You'll Learn in the 2025-Q2 Per Diem & Pay Insights Report
Which labor metrics truly matter—and how they’re shifting
How pay is trending across trades and regions
The one metric (TACL) that predicts your hiring success
Where competition is cooling—and how to capitalize
Why smart recruiters are adjusting strategies right now
The Big Picture: Is Relief Finally Here?
The report confirms it—labor availability climbed, job openings shrank, and construction employment hit record highs. On paper, things look better.
But here’s the catch: even good data doesn’t ease your day-to-day grind. Your mission remains—eliminate uncertainty. Who’s available? How fast can you hire them? What will it cost? This report helps you shift from reactive hiring to proactive wins.
Takeaway: Trends are improving, but strategy—not luck—will determine who fills roles fastest.
Key Intel for Your Recruiting Playbook: Turn Stats Into Action
This isn’t theory. It’s tactical, recruiter-ready data pulled from Bureau of Labor Statistics, NAICS 23, and exclusive RoadDogJobs insights.
TACL: The Metric That Cuts Through the Noise
TACL shows how many skilled workers remain after all open jobs are filled. In Q1 2025, TACL soared 92% from the previous year—the sharpest gain in four years. Your odds of securing top talent just skyrocketed.
Pro Tip: Use TACL to time your next hire—before wasting a dollar on ads.
Only RoadDogJobs tracks this metric. Whether you’re staffing a 10-day outage or onboarding 60 welders next month, TACL shows what’s possible before you spend time and budget chasing ghosts.
Takeaway: TACL gives you a measurable edge. Know when labor is actually available, not just assumed.
Employment: More Workers, More Certainty
Q1 2025 set a new benchmark for construction employment—2.0% above Q1 2024. It’s the highest first-quarter headcount ever. More workers = fewer surprises when you need to staff up fast.
Takeaway: Record employment means deeper talent pools—but you still need speed and strategy.
Unemployment: Leveling Out, Stabilizing the Field
The unemployment rate dipped slightly, showing signs of stabilization. That’s a win. A steady labor pool makes your pipeline more predictable.
Takeaway: Predictable pipelines beat reactive scrambling. Use this moment to plan future needs.
Labor Supply: Expanding Faster Than Demand
This quarter, labor supply grew 1.6% faster than demand. That shift gives you the upper hand—more candidates, fewer bidding wars.
Takeaway: With supply rising faster than demand, now’s the time to fill your toughest roles.
Labor Demand: Still Strong, But Cooling Off
Q1 demand hit a record high, but year-over-year growth dropped from 2.6% to just 0.3%. You’re still competing—but with more breathing room.
Takeaway: You’re not fighting as hard for talent—but don’t let up on speed or offer quality.
Open Construction Jobs: Down 33%, Lowest Since 2018
Fewer open roles means less competition. With job openings at a seven-year low, you’re in a stronger position to secure top-tier candidates.
Takeaway: This is your moment to build pipelines while competitors ease off.
Wage Growth: Still Rising, But Now You’ve Got Targets
Despite growing labor supply, wages continued to climb:
Average pay reached $32.63/hour (+2.8%)
80% of trades saw increases
Instrument Fitters jumped +$5.76/hour
West Coast roles led at $38.54/hour
Fast Fact: 80% of trades saw pay hikes. Know your numbers—or lose talent fast.
But averages only tell part of the story. The real gold? This report breaks down wage data by trade and region. For example:
Pipefitters averaged $33.73/hour with $112.95/day per diem
Texas electricians hit $42/hour at the 75th percentile
Midwest ironworkers held a $30/hour median
Use these numbers to set sharp offers that attract talent—without overpaying.
Takeaway: Use pay data to lead with competitive offers, not guesswork. Keep your top candidates from walking.
Stop Guessing. Start Recruiting Smarter.
This isn’t just another spreadsheet. The "2025-Q2 Per Diem & Pay Insights" report is a strategic tool for trades recruiters who need to move fast and hire smart.
You’ll gain:
TACL: the market’s most powerful predictor
Pay benchmarks for every key trade and region
Forward-looking trends that guide your next move
Recruiter Shortcut: Use this report to answer the #1 PM question: “When can they start?”
So next time a PM calls, you’re not scrambling—you’re ready.
Next Step: Ready to stop hiring blind? Download the "2025-Q2 Per Diem & Pay Insights" report now. Arm yourself with real numbers, actionable benchmarks, and the clarity to make confident hires—fast.
Need detailed rates by trade and state? Submit a custom pay rate request here. Get the data, make the hire, and move forward fast.