Construction Employers Add 8,000 Jobs In November, Hourly Earnings Rise

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Construction employment increased by 24,000 jobs in November to the highest level since November 2008, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that tight margins are keeping firms from paying even more to attract hard-to-find workers, noting that efforts to cut tax rates should help lead to higher average hourly earnings for the sector. “Employment and pay in construction have risen more rapidly over the past year than in the economy overall, as the supply of unemployed, experienced workers continues to shrink,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 243 Metro Areas between October 2016, 2017

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Construction employment increased in 243 out of 358 metro areas between October 2016 and October 2017, declined in 59 and stagnated in 56, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the best way to ensure metro areas continue to add construction jobs is to treat small and medium-sized employers more fairly and include new infrastructure funding as part of federal tax reform. “Growing demand, especially from the private sector, is continuing to drive construction employment gains in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s … Read more

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Hurricane Recovery Helps Construction Unemployment Rate Hit Lowest October Mark on Record

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in October, down 1.2 percent from a year ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. It was the lowest October rate on record, matching the rate in 2006, according to analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Further, the construction industry employed 180,000 more workers than in October 2016. Construction unemployment rates were also down in 44 states on a year-over-year basis, unchanged in one (South Dakota) and up in five states. “Recovery from the various hurricanes that hit the United States appeared to … Read more

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Construction Industry Adds 11,000 Jobs in October and 187,600 During 2017, Hourly Earnings Continue to Rise

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Construction employment increased by 11,000 jobs in October to the highest level in nine years, while the industry’s unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, the lowest October rate since 2006, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that while hurricane recovery work may have helped boost employment in the sector, most of the gains are occurring because of strong demand for many types of private-sector projects across much of the country. “The construction industry continues to contribute to the nation’s economic expansion, adding jobs at double the rate of … Read more

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Construction Jobs Increase in 35 States, D.C. between September 2016 Year-Over-Year

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Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between September 2016 and September 2017, while 26 states added construction jobs between August and September as some state employment levels were impacted by recent hurricanes, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released recently. Association officials noted that construction employment in many parts of the country would have been higher if more qualified workers were available. “Contractors in most states still report they are busy and expect to stay that way for the foreseeable future,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for … Read more

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