Only 14 States + D.C. Added Construction Jobs Since Pandemic Began as Supply Problems, Lack of Infrastructure Bill Undermine Recovery

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Only 14 states and the District of Columbia have added construction jobs since just before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that widespread supply chain disruptions amid and the lack of a much-needed federal infrastructure bill have impeded the sector’s recovery. “Construction employment remains below pre-pandemic levels in more than two-thirds of the states,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Supply problems have slowed down many projects and forced contractors to hold down employment, while the lack … Read more

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July Construction Employment Lags Pre-Pandemic Peak in 36 States, Delta Variant Threatens Further Gains

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Construction employment in July remained below the levels reached before the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020 in 36 states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials said construction employment would benefit from new federal infrastructure investments and urged the House to quickly pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill. “This data shows that full recovery remains elusive for construction in most states,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In fact, the fast-spreading COVID-19 delta variant may make it harder to find employees eligible to work on restricted sites and may also … Read more

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Construction Employment Declines or Stagnates in 101 Metro Areas, Reports Association

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Construction employment declined or stagnated in 101 metro areas between February 2020, the last month before the pandemic, and June 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials said that labor shortages and supply chain problems were keeping many firms from adding workers in many parts of the country. “Typically, construction employment increases between February and June in all but 30 metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The fact that more than three times as many metros as usual failed to add construction jobs, despite a hot housing … Read more

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Association Officials Report Construction Employment Declines by 7,000 in June

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Construction employment declined by 7,000 between May and June as the industry still employs 238,000 fewer people than before the pandemic, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials said that job losses in the nonresidential construction sector offset modest monthly gains in residential construction as many firms struggle with worker shortages, supply chain disruptions and rising materials prices. “It is hard for the industry to expand when it can’t find qualified workers, key building materials are scarce and the prices for them keep climbing,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. … Read more

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Construction Employment Trails Pre-Pandemic Level in 39 States, Reports AGC

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Construction employment in June remained below the levels reached before the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020 in 39 states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials noted that many construction firms are struggling to cope with supply chain challenges and rising materials prices, which is undermining demand for new projects and impacting firms’ ability to hire new workers. “The construction industry is a long way from full recovery in most states, in spite of a hot homebuilding market in many areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Soaring materials … Read more

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