Transportation and warehousing leads a broad light industrial rebound, up 41.45% YoY

Light industrial posted its strongest quarter in years in Q3, with total openings up 29.8% YoY, the fourth straight quarter of growth. Transportation and warehousing led the gains, up 41.45% YoY, as e-commerce and logistics demand keeps building. Wholesale trade followed close behind at 33.17% YoY, and manufacturing rounded out the picture at 23.44% YoY, its strongest quarter since 2024. The ongoing data center construction boom is likely a factor across all three, driving demand for the manufacturing, equipment, and logistics work needed to build and supply these projects, on top of the skilled trades hiring they require directly.