Construction Firms Add 19,000 Jobs in July as Sector’s Unemployment Level Hits 3.9%, Average Sector Pay Increases To $34.24 Per Hour

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The construction industry added 19,000 jobs in July even as the sector’s unemployment rate increased, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released. Association officials noted that tight labor conditions are bringing more previously employed construction workers back into the job market as firms continue to boost pay levels. Construction employment in July totaled 7,971,000, seasonally adjusted, an addition of 19,000 compared to June. The sector has added 198,000 jobs or 2.5% during the past 12 months. Nonresidential construction firms — nonresidential building and specialty trade contractors along with heavy and civil engineering construction firms — … Read more

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Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Rate for Month, Craft Pay Levels Rise, Says AGC

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The construction sector added 23,000 jobs in June while the sector’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest rate ever for the month and pay levels in the industry continued to rise, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released. Association officials said there appears to be plenty of demand for construction services and that employers likely would have added even more jobs if they could find more workers to hire. “There was no letup in demand for construction workers in June, while the supply of available workers remained exceptionally tight,” said Ken Simonson, … Read more

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AGC Officials Report Demand for Construction Remains Robust

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Construction employment increased in 45 states in February from a year earlier, while 24 states added construction jobs from January to February, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the annual job gains are a sign that demand for construction remains robust and continued to caution that labor shortages are holding many firms back. “Unfavorable weather may have held back construction in many states last month compared to January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But construction employment continued to expand almost everywhere in February compared … Read more

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Analysis of Contractor Surveys Shows Construction Workforce Shortage is Disproportionately Impacting Nonunion Firms

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A review of 2018-21 Associated General Contractors of America surveys of more than 5,000 member firms nationwide reveals that nonunion construction firms are facing significantly greater workforce supply problems than their union counterparts. These problems preceded the COVID-19 pandemic. The surveys, which include responses from 1,768 union contractors and 3,893 nonunion contractors, were analyzed by researchers from the nonpartisan Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Associated General Contractors of America represents more than 27,000 construction firms nationally. It releases its topline survey data each September and, since … Read more

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Input Prices for Nonresidential Construction Climb 21% between March 2021, March 2022

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Prices of materials and services used in new nonresidential construction jumped more than 21% from March 2021 to March 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. “Construction firms have been burdened with cost increases of 20% per year or more since early 2021,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Since contractors can seldom pass along increases on projects that are underway, these extreme price hikes threaten the viability of many firms. Unfortunately, the continuing war in Ukraine is likely to keep input costs elevated for many more months, if not longer.” … Read more

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