Construction Firms Add 19,000 Workers, Unemployed Workers Hits Low

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Construction firms added 19,000 workers in February, as the number of unemployed construction workers was at the lowest February total since the series started in 2000, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said, however, that sluggish gains in nonresidential construction employment may reflect the fact contractors are having difficulty finding workers to keep up with growing demand. “The overall picture for construction employment is very positive with robust job growth and very little unemployment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Yet it appears that many nonresidential construction firms […]

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Salaries Remain High in Construction Industry

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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 […]

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Dodge Momentum Index Increases in February

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index climbed 0.5 percent in February to 126.1 (2000=100) from its revised January reading of 125.5. The momentum index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. February’s increase was the third consecutive month-to-month gain for the index, as a 1.0 percent pickup by commercial planning reports overcame a slight 0.1 percent decline by institutional planning. While commercial planning activity is still below the levels present throughout much of 2015, […]

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Construction Spending Posts Strong Monthly, Year-Over-Year in January

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Construction spending soared in January from a month earlier and all major segments posted hefty year-over-year gains, pushing the total to the highest level since October 2008, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new spending figures indicate that demand for construction remains robust amid broader economic concerns. “There were solid gains for both the month and year in apartment, nonresidential and highway construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Although favorable weather may have boosted these results, demand for many types of projects remains strong despite worries that the […]

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Residential Sector Continues to Dominate North American Construction Market

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Rider Levett Bucknall recently released the third edition of its North American RLB Crane Index. The report measures construction activity in major cities across North America and predicts the health of the U. S. construction industry. According to the new issue of the index, the residential market continues to lead construction activity in the industry. Other notable sectors that are experiencing growth and contributing to overall activity are mixed-use, commercial and hospitality projects. The North American RLB Crane Index reports that Calgary, Canada; Denver, Colorado; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington and Toronto, Canada are leading […]

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