Nearly one-third of U.S. metro areas lost construction jobs between August 2020 and August 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 as the fate of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would boost demand for construction remains uncertain in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“While construction activity has rebounded from pandemic lows in many metros, the recovery is fragile,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Extreme production and delivery delays, along with continuing high materials costs, may lead to project cancellations and postponements that cut into job gains.”
Construction employment declined from a year earlier in 65 metros and held steady in 37. New York City lost the most jobs (-8,600 jobs or -6%), followed by Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y. (-5,100 jobs, -6%); Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla. (-3,200 jobs, -6%); Calvert-Charles-Prince George’s, Md. (-2,400 jobs, -7%) and Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-2,300 jobs, -1%). The largest percentage declines were in Evansville, Ind.-Ky. (-14%, -1,400 jobs); Tuscaloosa, Ala. (-12%, -800 jobs); Watertown-Fort Drum, N.Y. (-11%, -200 jobs); Morristown, Tenn. (-10%, -200 jobs); Victoria, Texas (-9%, -300 jobs) and Gadsden, Ala. (-9%, -100 jobs).
Construction employment increased in 256 out of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months. San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. added the most construction jobs (8,900 jobs, 11%; followed by Sacramento-Roseville--Arden-
Association officials urged members of both parties in the House to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, noting its new funding was needed to modernize the nation’s aging highways and transit systems. They noted the measure is slated for a vote this Thursday and cautioned that the industry was likely to lose more construction jobs without the measure.
“This is the kind of infrastructure bill that Democrats and Republicans have been promising to pass for years now,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Failing to pass this measure will create new challenges for the economy.”
View the metro employment data, rankings, top 10, new highs and lows, and map.
Related Stories
Market Data | Jul 20, 2021
Multifamily proposal activity maintains sizzling pace in Q2
Condos hit record high as all multifamily properties benefit from recovery.
Market Data | Jul 19, 2021
Construction employment trails pre-pandemic level in 39 states
Supply chain challenges, rising materials prices undermine demand.
Market Data | Jul 15, 2021
Producer prices for construction materials and services soar 26% over 12 months
Contractors cope with supply hitches, weak demand.
Market Data | Jul 13, 2021
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Contractor Confidence Index rise in June
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels increased modestly in June.
Market Data | Jul 8, 2021
Encouraging construction cost trends are emerging
In its latest quarterly report, Rider Levett Bucknall states that contractors’ most critical choice will be selecting which building sectors to target.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2021
Make sure to get your multifamily amenities mix right
One of the hardest decisions multifamily developers and their design teams have to make is what mix of amenities they’re going to put into each project. A lot of squiggly factors go into that decision: the type of community, the geographic market, local recreation preferences, climate/weather conditions, physical parameters, and of course the budget. The permutations are mind-boggling.
Market Data | Jul 7, 2021
Construction employment declines by 7,000 in June
Nonresidential firms struggle to find workers and materials to complete projects.
Market Data | Jun 30, 2021
Construction employment in May trails pre-covid levels in 91 metro areas
Firms struggle to cope with materials, labor challenges.
Market Data | Jun 23, 2021
Construction employment declines in 40 states between April and May
Soaring material costs, supply-chain disruptions impede recovery.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2021
Architecture billings continue historic rebound
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May rose to 58.5 compared to 57.9 in April.