Construction jobs grow in two-thirds of metro

Construction employment increased in 230, or 64 percent, of 358 metro areas between May 2022 and May 2023, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials cautioned, however, that it is getting harder for firms to find workers as the unemployment rate for the construction sector continues to fall.

Content provided by Associated General Contractors

“While nearly two-thirds of metro areas added construction jobs in the last 12 months, the total would have been higher if contractors could find qualified workers,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist. “But with a construction unemployment rate in May of only 3.5 percent, there are very few suitable candidates available in many markets.”

Most new jobs in construction

Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, added the most construction jobs (11,600 jobs or 8 percent), followed by

New York City (9,600 jobs, 7 percent)
Columbus, Ohio (6,100 jobs, 13 percent)
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia (6,000 jobs, 4 percent)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. (6,000 jobs, 7 percent).

The largest percentage gains were in Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. (18 percent, 200 jobs) and Danville, Ill. (17 percent, 100 jobs); followed by

14 percent in Corvallis, Oregon (200 jobs)
14 percent in Midland, Texas (4,900 jobs)
13 percent in Columbus, Ohio (6,100 jobs)
13 percent in Odessa, Texas (2,300 jobs)
13 percent in Clarksville, Tenn.-Ky. (500 jobs).

Areas losing construction jobs

Construction jobs declined over the year in 79 metro areas and were unchanged in 49 areas. The largest loss occurred in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-5,400 jobs, -2 percent), followed by