Construction employment increased in 70% of the 358 metro areas analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) between April 2018 and April 2019. According to the organization, construction employment grew in 250 metro areas and was unchanged in an additional 55 metro areas in the 12-month period. The 250 metro areas to add construction jobs between April 2018 and April 2019 reverses a recent trend of declining growth. After 275 metro areas added construction jobs from January 2018 to January 2019, 232 metros added jobs between February 2018 and February 2019 and 218 metro areas added jobs in the 12-month period from March 2018 to March 2019.
“Demand for construction is steady or rising in most parts of the country, and many contractors are adding workers when they can find them,” said Ken Simonson, ABC’s chief economist. “At the same time, many firms report they would have hired even more employees if only they could find enough qualified workers.”
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz., Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, Los-Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif., Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga., and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev., added the most construction jobs in pure numbers during the past 12 months. Monroe, Mich., St. Cloud, Minn., Auburn-Opelika, Ala., and Norwich-New London-Westerly, Conn.-R.I., added the largest percentage of construction jobs between April 2018 and April 2019.
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C., Baton Rouge, La., Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn., and Longview, Texas, reported the greatest employment declines in pure numbers during the past 12 months, while Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Miss., and Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J., reported the largest percentage declines in employment between April 2018 and April 2019.
Despite construction employment expanding in many parts of the country, ABC reported workforce shortages remain problematic for many contractors nationwide trying to keep pace with strong demand.
