Three-Quarters of Construction Firms Plan to Expand 2018 Headcount

  • Posted on

Seventy-five percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2018 as contractors are optimistic that economic conditions will remain strong as tax rates and regulatory burdens fall, according to survey results released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. Despite the general optimism outlined in “Expecting Growth to Continue: The 2018 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook,” many firms report they remain worried about workforce shortages and infrastructure funding. “Construction firms appear to be very optimistic about 2018 as they expect demand for all types of construction services to continue to expand,” … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

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

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: , , ,

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

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

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

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , , ,

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

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: ,