Construction Headcount Dips in May, Qualified Workers are Scarce

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Construction employment dipped for the second consecutive month in May, but rising industry pay and plunging unemployment suggest contractors would be hiring more workers if they were available, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that worker shortages may be reaching the point where they undermine the sector’s growth. “Although construction employment slipped in April and May, the industry has added workers in the past year at double the rate of the overall economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Average pay in construction is rising faster than in the rest … Read more

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AGC Reports on Construction Employment April, May 2016

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Thirty-nine states added construction jobs between May 2015 and May 2016 while construction employment only increased in 19 states between April and May, according to analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said monthly construction employment levels declined in most states as many firms appear to be running out of workers to hire amid growing labor shortages. “With construction demand remaining high and construction unemployment getting lower, the slowdown in monthly hiring probably has a lot more to do with a lack of workers than it does a lack of work,” … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 235 of 358 Metro Areas Year-Over-Year

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Construction employment rose between April 2015 and April 2016 in two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas, while spending on most types of structures increased for the year despite a drop in the latest month, according to a new analysis of federal data on employment and construction spending recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that many parts of the country continue to benefit from strong demand for construction services. “Construction growth remains widely distributed by location and project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, job gains were uneven: many states included metros … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases, Many Areas Benefit from Growing Project Demand

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Construction employment increased in 244 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 44 and declined in 70 between March 2015 and March 2016, according to a recent analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new figures show that the construction sector, in most parts of the country, continues to recover from its years-long downturn. “With more than two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas adding construction jobs it is clear that the demand for construction is broad-based geographically and by project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, adding … Read more

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Construction Firms Add 37,000 Jobs in March, 300,000+ in Past Year

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Construction employment rose sharply in March by 37,000 for the month and 301,000 for the year, while construction spending in February logged a solid year-over-year increase despite a dip compared with January, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new jobs and spending indicate that the industry is steadily expanding to meet growing demand. “These two reports confirm that demand for construction is robust and well-balanced among residential, private nonresidential and public segments,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Compared with the same month a year ago, the industry is adding … Read more

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