Nearly one-fifth of U.S. metro areas lost construction jobs between September 2020 and September 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials noted that the job losses are occurring in many metro areas as plans to boost investments in infrastructure languish in Washington and firms cope with shortages, delivery delays and construction materials price increases.
“Many metro areas are having a hard time getting back to construction employment levels from last fall that were already low because of the pandemic,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The challenge is that the economic recovery for the construction industry is being undermined by Washington’s failure to boost infrastructure investments and continuing supply chain disfunction.”
Construction employment declined from a year earlier in 67 metros and held steady in 33. Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y. lost the most jobs (-6,000 or -8%), followed by New York City (-5,500 jobs, -4%); New Orleans-Metairie, La. (-3,100 jobs, -12%); Calvert-Charles-Prince George’s, Md. (-3,100 jobs, -9%) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Md. (-2,400 jobs, -3%). The largest percentage declines were in Evansville, Ind.-Ky. (-18%, -1,800 jobs); New Orleans-Metairie; Fairbanks, Alaska (-10%, -300 jobs); Knoxville, Tenn. (-10%, -1,800 jobs); Gadsden, Ala. (-9%, -100 jobs); Calvert-Charles-Prince George's; and Victoria, Texas (-9%, -300 jobs).
Construction employment increased in 258 out of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months. Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-
Association officials urged members of Congress in the House to quickly pass an infrastructure bill that already received broad, bipartisan support in the Senate. They also encouraged the Biden administration to explore ways, like temporarily adjusting hours of service rules for drivers, to unclog shipping facilities that how more goods than drivers.
“Washington leaders have the ability to fix our supply chains now while also investing in their long-term efficiency,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “But nothing is going to get fixed with partisan talk and legislative and executive inaction.”
View the metro employment data, rankings, top 10, new highs and lows, and map.
Related Stories
Market Data | Sep 17, 2018
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator hits a new high in second quarter of 2018
Backlog is up 12.2% from the first quarter and 14% compared to the same time last year.
Market Data | Sep 12, 2018
Construction material prices fall in August
Softwood lumber prices plummeted 9.6% in August yet are up 5% on a yearly basis (down from a 19.5% increase year-over-year in July).
Market Data | Sep 7, 2018
Safety risks in commercial construction industry exacerbated by workforce shortages
The report revealed 88% of contractors expect to feel at least a moderate impact from the workforce shortages in the next three years.
Market Data | Sep 5, 2018
Public nonresidential construction up in July
Private nonresidential spending fell 1% in July, while public nonresidential spending expanded 0.7%.
Market Data | Aug 30, 2018
Construction in ASEAN region to grow by over 6% annually over next five years
Although there are disparities in the pace of growth in construction output among the ASEAN member states, the region’s construction industry as a whole will grow by 6.1% on an annual average basis in the next five years.
Market Data | Aug 22, 2018
July architecture firm billings remain positive despite growth slowing
Architecture firms located in the South remain especially strong.
Market Data | Aug 15, 2018
National asking rents for office space rise again
The rise in rental rates marks the 21st consecutive quarterly increase.
Market Data | Aug 13, 2018
First Half 2018 commercial and multifamily construction starts show mixed performance across top metropolitan areas
Gains reported in five of the top ten markets.
Market Data | Aug 10, 2018
Construction material prices inch down in July
Nonresidential construction input prices increased fell 0.3% in July but are up 9.6% year over year.
