Construction employment increased by 31,000 jobs between October and November as nonresidential construction firms added workers for the third month in a row, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said construction firms were likely to have added even more jobs if they could find more qualified workers to hire with many firms reporting a growing number of unfilled positions.
“It is heartening to see steady job growth across all construction segments following a long period during which only residential contractors were adding employees,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But record job openings show the industry needs still more workers as more types of nonresidential projects get started.”
Construction employment in November totaled 7,533,000, an increase of 31,000 since October and the highest seasonally adjusted figure since March 2020. However, industry employment still trails the pre-pandemic peak, set in February 2020, by 115,000 positions.
Nonresidential construction firms added 20,800 employees in November, following a pickup of 34,600 in October. The category comprises nonresidential building contractors, which added 5,900 employees; specialty trade contractors, with a gain of 6,800 workers; and heavy and civil engineering construction firms, with 8,100 more workers than in October, But nonresidential employment remains 209,000 below the February 2020 level, as the sector has recovered only 67% of the jobs lost in the first two months of the pandemic.
Residential construction added 10,300 employees in November. Residential building contractors such as homebuilders and general contractors that concentrate on multifamily construction, added 4,100 workers during the month, while residential specialty trade contractors added 6,200 employees. Residential employment in November exceeded the February 2020 mark by 95,000 positions.
Simonson noted that the number of job openings in the industry reached 333,000 in September, the latest month available. That amount is an all-time high for the month, he added.
Association officials said workforce shortages were likely to become more severe, citing the significant increase in federal infrastructure investments that will come now that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill has been enacted. They urged federal officials to boost investments in career and technical education programs that are needed to make more new workers aware of construction career opportunities.
“These new federal investments will create many new career opportunities in construction, now we need to make sure potential workers are aware of those opportunities and prepared to take advantage of them,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.
View the construction employment table.
Related Stories
Market Data | Jun 25, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 25, 2020
CDC to build the most advanced high containment laboratory in the country and architecture billings downward trajectory moderates.
Market Data | Jun 24, 2020
Architecture billings downward trajectory moderates
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May was 32.0 compared to 29.5 in April, but still represents a significant decrease in services provided by U.S. architecture firms.
Market Data | Jun 24, 2020
8 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 24, 2020
San Francisco's apartment market goes in reverse and WATG designs a solution for isolating without sacrificing social connectivity.
Market Data | Jun 23, 2020
National survey reveals pandemic's impact on college students' mental health, remote learning, families' income and more
Of 2,500 student respondents, 75% feel more anxious or stressed, 57% said they lost their summer jobs and 90% want to return to campus in the fall.
Market Data | Jun 23, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 23, 2020
Gyms are going bacnkrupt and leaving gaps in shopping centers and how hotels are trying to keep guests and employees safe.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2020
New House infrastructure package will provide needed investments in aging infrastructure, support economic recovery, and create jobs
The Moving Forward Act’s proposed $1.5 trillion in new investments will improve range of public infrastructure, creating needed demand for construction while making the economy more efficient.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 22, 2020
Construction employment rises from April to May in 45 states and the first building in the U.S. designed for post COVID-19 environment.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2020
Construction employment rises from April to May in 45 states, slips in 5
Rebound from April job losses reflects one-shot help from paycheck protection program loans and easing of stay-at-home orders, but cancellations and state and local deficits imply further cuts ahead.
Market Data | Jun 19, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 19, 2020
Brown University's first housing building in three decades and demand for family rentals expected to jump.
Market Data | Jun 18, 2020
New data shows construction activity returning to pre-coronavirus levels in many parts of the country
Association survey and data collected by Procore measure impacts of the pandemic, showing signs of a construction recovery, but labor shortages and project cancellations show industry needs federal help.
