Construction employment grew in 211, or 59%, out of 358 metro areas between December 2018 and December 2019, declined in 73 and was unchanged in 74, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that many firms report they are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to hire, which likely undermined employment gains in some parts of the country.
“There are not enough qualified workers in many parts of the country for firms to be able to keep pace with strong demand for work,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Construction workforce shortages appear to be holding back further job gains in many parts of the country.”
The Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas metro area added the most construction jobs in 2019 (16,700 jobs, 11%). Other metro areas adding a large amount of construction jobs during the past 12 months include Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (12,300 jobs, 8%); Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. (9,400 jobs, 14%); Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (9,300 jobs, 4%) and San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. (8,600 jobs, 10%). The largest percentage gain occurred in Kansas City, Mo. (17%, 4,800 jobs), followed by Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa (16%, 4,500 jobs); Auburn-Opelika, Ala. (15 percent, 400 jobs) and Rochester, N.Y. (15 percent, 3,000 jobs). Construction employment reached a new December high in 71 metro areas and a new December low in four areas.
The largest job losses between December 2018 and December 2019 occurred in New York City (-4,500 jobs, -3%), followed by Northern Virginia (-2,900 jobs, -4%); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (-2,600 jobs -3%) and Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky. (-2,400 jobs, -5%). The largest percentage decrease took place in Fairbanks, Alaska (-12%, -300 jobs), followed by Longview, Texas (-10%, -1,400 jobs); Wichita Falls, Texas (-10%, -300 jobs); Victoria, Texas (-9%, -400 jobs) and Huntington-Ashland, W.Va.-Ky.-Ohio (-9%, -700 jobs).
Association officials said workforce shortages were undermining strong employment gains in many parts of the country and urged federal officials to take steps to encourage more people to pursue high-paying construction careers. These steps include doubling federal investments in career and technical education to expose more students to construction career opportunities. And they called on Washington officials to establish a temporary work visa program to allow people with construction skills to work in markets impacted by labor shortages.
“Given the current state of demand for their services, many construction firms would be hiring more workers if only they could find them,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Instead of convincing young adults to go into debt to pay for college, Congress and the administration should expose them to other options, including high-paying construction careers.”
View the metro employment data, rankings, top 10, history and map.
Related Stories
Market Data | Oct 6, 2020
Construction sector adds 26,000 workers in September but nonresidential jobs stall
Many commercial firms experience project cancellations.
Market Data | Oct 6, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 6, 2020
Construction rises 1.4% in August while nonresidential construction spending falls slightly.
Market Data | Oct 5, 2020
Nonresidential construction spending falls slightly in August
Of the 16 nonresidential subcategories, nine were down on a monthly basis.
Market Data | Oct 5, 2020
Construction spending rises 1.4% in August as residential boom outweighs private nonresidential decline and flat public categories
Construction officials caution that demand for non-residential construction will continue to stagnate without new federal coronavirus recovery measures, including infrastructure and liability reform.
Market Data | Oct 5, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 5, 2020
Zaha Hadid unveils 2 Murray Road and the AEC industry is weathering COVID-19 better than most.
Market Data | Oct 2, 2020
AEC industry is weathering COVID-19 better than most
Nearly one-third of firms have had layoffs, more than 90% have experienced project delays.
Market Data | Oct 2, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 2, 2020
BIG imagines how to live on the moon and smart buildings stand on good data.
Market Data | Oct 1, 2020
Two-thirds of metros shed construction jobs from August 2019 to August 2020
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land and Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass. have worst 12-month losses, while Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind. and Niles-Benton Harbor, Mich. top job gainers.
Market Data | Oct 1, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 1, 2020
David Adjaye to receive 2021 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture and SOM reimagines the former Cook County Hospital.
Market Data | Sep 30, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: September 30, 2020
Heatherwick Studio designs The Cove for San Francisco and Washington, D.C.'s first modular apartment building.