The U.S. construction industry must hire an additional 650,000 workers in 2022 to meet the expected demand for labor, according to a model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors.
The 650,000 total is in excess of what is needed to keep up with the normal pace of hiring in 2022. ABC’s model uses the historical relationship between inflation-adjusted construction spending growth, sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Value of Construction Put in Place survey, and payroll construction employment, sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to convert anticipated increases in construction outlays into demand for construction labor at a rate of about 3,900 new jobs per billion dollars of additional construction spending.
“ABC’s 2022 workforce shortage analysis sends a message loud and clear: The construction industry desperately needs qualified, skilled craft professionals to build America,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO, in a news release. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in November and stimulus from COVID-19 relief will pump billions in new spending into our nation’s most critical infrastructure, and qualified craft professionals are essential to efficiently modernize roads, bridges, energy production and other projects across the country.”
Based on historical Census Bureau Job-to-Job Flow data, an estimated 1.2 million construction workers will leave their jobs to work in other industries in 2022. This will be offset by an anticipated 1.3 million workers who will move from other industries to construction.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 16, 2022
California court rules affordable housing developers exempt from local zoning
Case could set precedent on state law that overrides local rules.
Codes and Standards | Feb 15, 2022
FORTIFIED resiliency standard expanded to include multifamily sector
Voluntary, beyond-code program aims to protect buildings from severe weather.
Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022
Number of Americans at risk of flooding to double in 30 years
Most new risk from new development, not climate change.
Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022
Intl. Code Council committee on diversity seeks applicants
New board aims to increase diversity in the membership association.
Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2022
Climate impact of gas stoves in U.S. equal to half a million cars
New study could increase momentum to ban fossil fuels in new buildings.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2022
Energy efficiency ratings not reflecting true energy use
Highest rated U.K. buildings are less efficient than lower rated ones.
Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2022
Illinois tops USGBC list of states with the most LEED certified projects in 2021
Top 10 states plus D.C. certified more than 247 million gross square feet.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022
Public works contracting reform advances in New York State
Governor signs bill to form advisory council that will propose policy changes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022
Commercial and multifamily construction starts rebounded in 2021
Following COVID uncertainty in 2020, the industry recovered, but still lags 2019 levels.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2022
Biden Administration launches state, local coalition to boost building performance standards
Will focus on energy efficiency and electrification across the buildings sector.