Construction Employment Increases in December

Feb. 1, 2019

Construction employment grew in 273 out of 358 metro areas between December 2017 and 2018, declined in 37, and was unchanged in 48, according to the Associate General Contractors of America (AGC). Job gains came in strong demand throughout 2018, but tight labor market conditions also prevented additional gains.

“Construction employment continued to expand in most parts of the country in 2018 as demand for many types of construction projects grew,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist. “As welcome as the job gains were, many firms would likely have added even more workers if labor market conditions were not so tight.”

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas metro area added the most jobs (19,400, 9 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in Weirton-Steubenville, Ohio (28 percent, 500 jobs). The largest job losses occurred in Anaheim-Santa ANa-Irvine, California (-2,800 jobs, -3 percent). The largest percentage decrease was in Lawrence-Methuen Town-Salem, Massachusetts (-9 percent, -300 jobs).

The association said workforce shortages are limiting the “full economic benefits of robust demand for construction,” urging officials to increase funding for career and technical education, and reform immigration law. Exposing more high school students to construction as a career choice in the future will also help grow the industry.

Source: AGC