Construction firms added 17,000 jobs in May and 273,000 over 12 months, as the sector's unemployment rate fell to 6.7 percent, the lowest May rate since 2006, according to an analysis Friday by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the job gains come as the private and public sectors are increasing investments in construction services.
“Construction employers continue to expand headcount as they adjust to growing demand for their services in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Right now the two most likely obstacles to the industry’s continued expansion are growing labor shortages and political gridlock that could curtail public sector investments in infrastructure and construction.”
Residential building and specialty trade contractors added 8,500 jobs (0.3 percent) since April and 149,300 jobs (6.5 percent) over 12 months. Within the residential sector, residential building contractors added 1,800 jobs for the month while residential specialty trade contractors added 6,700 jobs compared to April.
Nonresidential contractors—building, specialty trade, and heavy and civil engineering construction firms—hired a net of 8,600 workers for the month and 124,300 (3.3 percent) since May 2014. As with the residential sector, nonresidential employment sector gains varied by segment. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors added 5,600 jobs for the month while heavy and civil engineering contractors—who typically perform public-sector projects like highway construction—only added 400 jobs since April. Nonresidential building construction employment increased by 2,600 for the month and is up 19,500 (2.8 percent) for the year.
Association officials added that the two most obvious threats to future construction growth are tight labor markets and political gridlock that could curtail public-sector construction spending. They urged Congress to act quickly to fund and pass surface transportation legislation to invest in the nation’s aging roads, bridges and transit systems. And they called on federal, state and local leaders to act on measures outlined in the association’s Workforce Development Plan designed to expand career and technical education opportunities for young people.