The construction industry added 23,000 jobs on net in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 219,000 jobs, an increase of 2.8%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 8,400 positions on net, with growth in all three subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added 4,200 positions, while nonresidential building and heavy and civil engineering added 2,600 and 1,600 jobs, respectively. The construction unemployment rate increased to 4% in October. Unemployment across all industries increased from 3.8% in September to 3.9% last month.
ABC: Nonresidential Construction Spending Increases
National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.3% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.1 trillion. Spending was down on a monthly basis in 9 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending increased 0.1%, while public nonresidential construction spending was up 0.5% in September.
Construction Employment Rises by 11,000 Jobs in September, Labor Conditions Remain Tight
The construction industry added 11,000 jobs in September as unemployment rates for the sector remained at historically low levels, prompting contractors to raise pay faster than for other jobs, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the number of people working on nonresidential construction projects declined for the month as firms struggle to find enough workers to hire amid tight labor conditions. “Construction firms have plenty of projects but a dip in nonresidential employment last month shows how hard it has been to find enough skilled workers,” … Read more
Construction Employment Rises In 43 States & D.C.
Construction employment increased in 43 states and the District of Columbia in September from a year earlier, while 28 states and D.C. added construction employees from August to September, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the month-over-month dips in construction employment in some parts of the country were likely caused by firms struggling to find enough workers to replace retiring ones amid labor shortages. Between September 2022 and September 2023, 43 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while industry employment declined in seven states. Texas added … Read more
New Crane Index, Quarterly Cost Report Charts Construction Trends in North America
Rider Levett Bucknall has released its latest Crane Index and Quarterly Cost Report. Together, the two documents provide a perspective on the North American construction industry in 14 key markets. With data current to mid-Q3 2023, the latest RLB quarterly cost report shows that the national average increase in construction costs was 1.55% over the previous quarter, with Chicago, Honolulu, Las Vegas, New York, Portland and Seattle all experiencing increases over the national average this quarter. Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. experienced gains that were less than the national average. Crane Index notes Boston and Toronto are the only cities … Read more



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