flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Construction industry adds 11,000 jobs in July

Market Data

Construction industry adds 11,000 jobs in July

Nonresidential sector trails overall recovery.


By AGC | August 6, 2021

The construction industry added 11,000 jobs between June and July but nonresidential construction employment remains far below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said nonresidential construction has been affected by declining demand for projects, particularly for public infrastructure work, and urged Congress to quickly pass the new bipartisan infrastructure measure.

“Contractors are plagued by soaring materials costs, long or uncertain delivery times, and hesitancy by project owners to commit to construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Recovery has been especially slow in infrastructure construction.”

Construction employment in July totaled 7,421,000, a gain of 11,000 from June, following three months of job losses. However, the rebound was limited to residential and specialty trade contractors, while nonresidential building and infrastructure construction firms continued to shed workers.

Residential building contractors such as homebuilders added 8,300 employees in July, while employment was unchanged among residential specialty trade contractors. The two residential segments have added a total of 58,500 employees, or 2.0%, to their workforce since February 2020.

In contrast, nonresidential building contractors shed 2,500 employees in July. Employment declined by 2,100 among heavy and civil engineering construction firms—the segment most involved with infrastructure. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors added 7,500 employees in the month. Following the huge loss of jobs between February and April 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, infrastructure contractors have added back only 37% of lost jobs. Nonresidential building and specialty trade contractors have each regained about 60% of lost workers, while the total nonfarm payroll economy has recouped 75% of workers.

Simonson observed that an unprecedented number of materials are experiencing extreme price increases and long lead times for production or delivery to project sites. These problems mean fewer construction workers are being employed and some owners are delaying project starts, adding to the drag on industry employment. The economist noted that the association has just updated its Construction Inflation Alert, a guide to inform owners, officials, and others about the cost and supply-chain challenges.

Association officials noted the new infrastructure measure boosts federal investments in a wide range of infrastructure projects, which will help generate new demand in the nonresidential sector. They added the bill appears likely to pass in the Senate but that some members of the House want to delay action on the bipartisan measure until passing an unrelated, partisan, spending bill.

“The last thing Washington should be doing is holding up a much-needed, bipartisan infrastructure bill while commercial contractors struggle to add jobs,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.

Related Stories

Hotel Facilities | Jan 13, 2016

Hotel construction should remain strong through 2017

More than 100,000 rooms could be delivered this year alone.

Market Data | Jan 6, 2016

Census Bureau revises 10 years’ worth of construction spending figures

The largest revisions came in the last two years and were largely upward.

Market Data | Jan 5, 2016

Majority of AEC firms saw growth in 2015, remain optimistic for 2016: BD+C survey

By all indications, 2015 was another solid year for U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

Market Data | Jan 5, 2016

Nonresidential construction spending falters in November

Only 4 of 16 subsectors showed gains

Market Data | Dec 15, 2015

AIA: Architecture Billings Index hits another bump

Business conditions show continued strength in South and West regions.  

Market Data | Dec 7, 2015

2016 forecast: Continued growth expected for the construction industry

ABC forecasts growth in nonresidential construction spending of 7.4% in 2016 along with growth in employment and backlog.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021