Jobsite or Job Site – Which Spelling Is Correct?

Are you trying to figure out whether “jobsite” is one or two words? It’s important to know this before including it in your writing.

Luckily, this article is here to help. We’ll show you how to spell “jobsite” and why there seem to be two different spellings for it.

Is “Job Site” One or Two Words?

Both “job site” and “jobsite” are correct. The one and two-word spelling variations are both accepted and recognized in English. However, it’s more common to see “jobsite” in American English, where “job” functions as the attributive noun to modify “site.”

Here are two examples to show you how both words work:

• I worked at the job site. However, I couldn’t figure out what they were asking of me.
• The jobsite needed work. I already looked into it to see if there was something I could change.

The preferred spelling tends to be “jobsite.” In modern English, it’s very common to see two words (“job” and “site”) blended into one for ease’s sake.

With that said, the two-word spelling “job site” is still acceptable and can also be found in writing.

Typically, the choice between the two spellings varies depending on personal preference or specific style guides (like AP or Chicago Style).

Job Site

Let’s start with the two-word variation. This is the older version of the word, where “job” and “site” functioned as two different words.

Here, “job” is modifying “site.” Therefore, it implies that it is a site you carry out jobs on (a construction job site, for example).

If you look up “job site” on The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, you will only find it with the one-word variation.

It’s also more common for AP Style guidelines to stick with the one-word variation. It’s a more modern spelling. The two-word spelling is outdated.

However, it’s worth noting that British English prefers using “job site” as two words. You can refer to Google Ngram to see that “job site” is much more common.

The reason is probably related to British English writers preferring more traditional rules. Since “job site” is the old version of the word, it makes sense they are more likely to use it.

Nevertheless, here are two examples to help you see it in action:

• We need access to the job site. Do you think they’ll grant that to use before we continue?
• I’m not going to see the job site, am I? You have other plans in mind for what we’ll do today.

Jobsite

So, it’s clear the one-word spelling is more appropriate in modern English. It’s the more modern spelling, making it generally more acceptable in writing.

We recommend including it because “job” is an attributive noun modifying “site.” Since “job site” is a clear phrase in itself, it made sense to combine the two words to make it easier for readers.

Now, people recognize “jobsite” as one word. Readers prefer seeing it like this because it translates better on the page.

Also, according to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, you should only ever write “jobsite” as one word.

AP Style suggests you can group two words as long as they are easily distinguishable and you don’t lose the word’s meaning. That’s why “jobsite” tends to be a popular option.

It’s also worth reviewing the American English Google Ngram graph. While “job site” still seems to be quite popular, “jobsite” as one word is certainly catching up to it in popularity.

Here are some examples to help you with it:

• She was on the jobsite all morning. I doubt you’ll be able to get anything out of her.
• We need to go to the jobsite again. I have to carry out a few reports to see if things are up to standard.

Conclusion

Both “jobsite” and “job site” are acceptable in English. The one and two-word spellings are correct.

However, the one-word spelling is more common in modern English. You’ll often find people writing this over “job site” to keep things as simple as possible.