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Construction Employment Increases in 252 out of 358 Metro Area from August 2018 to August 2019 as Firms Hire Amid Tight Labor Conditions

Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas and Auburn-Opelika, Ala. Have Largest Gains; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C., Fairbanks, Alaska, and Longview, Texas Lag the Most as Industry Calls for New Workforce Funding

Construction employment grew in 252 out of 358 metro areas between August 2018 and August 2019, declined in 60 and was unchanged in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that while firms are finding ways to add staff, a recent survey found 80 percent of contractors are having a hard time finding enough workers to hire.

“Construction firms would likely be adding even more jobs if they could find more qualified workers to hire,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But tight labor market conditions are prompting many firms to become more efficient and more adaptable to keep pace with demand for their services.”

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