Construction employment declined in 156 out of 337 metropolitan areas between October 2011 and October 2012, increased in 127 and was stagnant in 54, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. However, construction jobs in many parts of the country are at risk if Congress and the president allow the “fiscal cliff” to occur, according to a new report the association released today. “These figures show how spotty the construction recovery has been—even within a single state,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. The largest job losses were […]

Construction employment declined in 28 states from October 2011 to October 2012 even as 31 states and D.C. added jobs during the past month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that residential construction gains were being undermined by the broader business uncertainty being caused by the threat of the looming fiscal cliff. “The industry remains stuck in neutral, with close balance each month between the number of states that add or lose construction jobs,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Despite a strong pickup in homebuilding and […]

Construction employers added 17,000 jobs in October while the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 11.4 percent, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that total construction employment levels have changed little during the past year while the declines in the industry's unemployment rate are coming as more former workers leave the industry. “Despite five consecutive months of construction employment gains, the overall employment picture is essentially unchanged from a year ago,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Construction employment appears stuck in a state of mild monthly […]