Construction employment rose in 215, or 60 percent, of 358 metro areas between June 2023 and June 2024, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that while demand for certain types of construction is soft, overall construction activity remains robust and firms are still having a hard time finding workers to hire.
“High interest rates and rising vacancies have depressed construction of developer-financed projects such as apartments, offices, and warehouses in some markets,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Nevertheless, strong demand for data centers, manufacturing and power projects, and infrastructure is keeping employment on the upswing in a majority of metros.”
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas added the most construction jobs (12,300 jobs or 5 percent) between June 2023 and June 2024, followed by Baton Rouge, La. (8,400 jobs, 18 percent); Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. (8,200 jobs, 10 percent); Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (6,900 jobs, 4 percent); and Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla. (5,700 jobs, 10 percent). The largest percentage gain—27 percent—occurred in Lawton, Okla., which added 400 jobs. The pickup in Lawton was followed by Baton Rouge; Anchorage, Alaska (17 percent, 2,100 jobs); and Danville Ill. (17 percent;100 jobs).
Construction employment declined over the year in 97 metro areas and was unchanged in 46 areas. The largest job loss occurred in New York City (-7;100 jobs; -5 percent), followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Minn.-Wis.; (-4;400 jobs;-5percent); Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Colo.; (-4;300jobs;-4percent); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Ore.-Wash.;(-3;000jobs;-4percent);and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Md.;(-2;700jobs;-3percent).The largest percentage decrease occurred in Duluth Minn.-Wis.;(-11percent;-1;200jobs),followedbyAugusta-RichmondCounty Ga.-S.C.;(-10percent;-1;600jobs)andIthaca N.Y.;(-8percent;-100jobs).
Association officials said many construction firms continue to report challenges in finding enough workers to hire. As a result firms are frequently opting to not bid on projects because they do not have enough people to do the work.The officials urged federal leaders to boost investments in programs that expose workers to construction skills,andtoallowmorepeopletolawfullyenterthecountrytoworkintheindustry.
“The harder it is for firms to find workers,the harder it will be toget vital infrastructureandeconomicdevelopmentprojectscompleted,”saidJeffreyD.Shoaf,theassociation’schiefexecutiveofficer.“Investinginconstructiontrainingandeducationandfindingwaystoallowmorepeopletoworkinconstructionfromoverseaswillhelpkeepoureconomygrowing.”
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