Construction employment increased in 257 out of 358 US metro areas between February 2017 and February 2018, declined in 50 and stagnated in 51, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the employment gains are occurring as construction firms in many parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to keep pace with demand.
“Growing private-sector demand for construction services is prompting construction firms to hire more people to complete projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Yet tight labor markets, particularly for qualified construction workers, is making it increasingly difficult for firms to find people to bring on board.”
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. added the most construction jobs during the past year (12,000 jobs, 13 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in the Merced, Calif. metro area (33 percent, 700 jobs).
The largest job losses from February 2017 to February 2018 were in Baton Rouge, La. (-6,500 jobs, -12 percent). The largest percentage decreases for the year were in Auburn-Opelika, Ala. (-38 percent, -1,500 jobs).