Construction lost 24,000 jobs in the first three months of the year taking the total workforce to 2.1m, the lowest figure since 2003.
This means the industry has lost nearly 270,000 jobs since the peak employment level in Autumn 2008.
The continued fall in the construction jobs total has come despite the recently recorded surge in Government construction output figures.
Average earnings figures released today show how construction wages fell back in April after an encouraging series of rises in the first three months.
Average wages are now around where they were in 2007.
Brian Green, industry commentator at Brickonomics, said: “These latest Government figures show how tough things are in the construction industry, despite recent recorded rises in the level of work.
“One cannot but fear that the job numbers will continue to decline for some time yet.
“What we are also seeing is a painful squeeze on the earnings of those working in construction. Figures suggests a four year pay freeze. But I suspect many are enduring much greater pain with cuts to actual take-home pay.”