Construction Employment Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Peak

Construction employment increased from February 2020 to February 2022 in nearly three-fifths of U.S. metro areas, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said it is getting harder to find workers and urged officials to invest more in career training and education programs for construction. “The rebound in construction employment in most metros shows there is robust demand for infrastructure and nonresidential buildings, as well as housing,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors in many areas say they would hire even more workers if there were … Read more

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ABC Predicts Modest Growth for 2017 Nonresidential Construction Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors forecasts a slowdown of growth in the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2017. While contractors are vulnerable to rising commodity prices and potential interest rate increases in 2017, the middling consumer-led recovery should still lead to modest growth in construction spending and employment. “The U.S. economy continues to expand amid a weak global economy and, despite risks to the construction industry, nonresidential spending should expand 3.5 percent in 2017,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “For more than two years, the Federal Reserve has been able to focus heavily on stimulating … Read more

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Salaries Remain High in Construction Industry

ALACHUA, Fla. – Skilled craft professionals continue to earn top dollar, according to NCCER’s 2015 Construction Craft Salary Survey. Each year, NCCER surveys companies and organizations from the industrial and commercial construction industries across the U.S about the salaries of their craft professionals. The Construction Craft Salary Survey represents average annual salaries for individual craft areas, not including overtime, per diem, bonuses or other incentives. Of the nearly 90 construction groups surveyed, average annual salaries for craft professions ranged from just over $47,000 to almost $89,000. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list, earning $88,675 and $77,917, respectively. Other … Read more

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Strong Demand for Construction Continues in Most States, Reports AGC

Forty-four states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs in 2015 while construction employment increased in 39 states and D.C. between November and December amid strong demand for construction in most states, according to analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that many of the states experiencing construction declines appear to be energy-producing states. “Construction employment expanded in most parts of the country last year as demand for new projects rebounded,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO for the association. “The question now is whether declining energy prices will impact … Read more

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Seventy-One Percent of Construction Firms Plan to Expand Headcount

Seventy-one percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2016 as contractors expect a range of public and private markets to grow, according to survey results recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. The survey, conducted as part of The Challenges Facing a Growing Industry: The 2016 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, indicates that contractors foresee a positive year despite tight labor conditions, regulatory burdens and IT security challenges. “The construction industry will continue to recover in 2016 as many firms add to their headcount amid growing demand in … Read more

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