Construction employment has risen in 234 of the 358 metropolitan areas surveyed between November 2023 and November 2024, according to data analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America. The increase represents about 65 percent of the metro areas studied. Despite this growth, many firms continue to face challenges in hiring enough qualified workers.
"Although nearly two-thirds of metro areas have added construction workers in the past year, contractors report struggling to fill many hourly craft positions," stated Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. He warned that these difficulties could worsen in 2025 without targeted workforce authorizations.
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas recorded the highest number of new construction jobs, adding 16,100 jobs or a seven percent increase. Anchorage, Alaska saw the largest percentage gain with a rise of 17 percent equating to 1,800 new jobs. Other notable increases occurred in Northern Virginia; Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Florida; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida; and Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas.
Conversely, construction employment fell in 63 metro areas while remaining unchanged in another 61. New York City experienced the most significant job loss with a decrease of 7,800 jobs or five percent. Bloomington, Illinois faced an eleven percent decline representing a loss of 400 jobs.
Simonson highlighted that as more long-time construction workers retire, reliance on immigrant labor has grown. Census Bureau data reveals approximately one-third of construction craft workers are foreign-born.
Association officials point out that federal spending on promoting four-year college degrees significantly surpasses investment in careers like construction by a factor of four. They advocate for increased funding through measures such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and doubling funds for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational & Technical Education Act.
"Relatively small boosts in federal funding for construction and other skills training will help put many more people into high-paying construction careers," said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, CEO of the association.