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 | Jun 25, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 25, 2020
CDC to build the most advanced high containment laboratory in the country and architecture billings downward trajectory moderates.
Market Data | Jun 24, 2020
Architecture billings downward trajectory moderates
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May was 32.0 compared to 29.5 in April, but still represents a significant decrease in services provided by U.S. architecture firms.
Market Data | Jun 24, 2020
8 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 24, 2020
San Francisco's apartment market goes in reverse and WATG designs a solution for isolating without sacrificing social connectivity.
Market Data | Jun 23, 2020
National survey reveals pandemic's impact on college students' mental health, remote learning, families' income and more
Of 2,500 student respondents, 75% feel more anxious or stressed, 57% said they lost their summer jobs and 90% want to return to campus in the fall.
Market Data | Jun 23, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 23, 2020
Gyms are going bacnkrupt and leaving gaps in shopping centers and how hotels are trying to keep guests and employees safe.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2020
New House infrastructure package will provide needed investments in aging infrastructure, support economic recovery, and create jobs
The Moving Forward Act’s proposed $1.5 trillion in new investments will improve range of public infrastructure, creating needed demand for construction while making the economy more efficient.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 22, 2020
Construction employment rises from April to May in 45 states and the first building in the U.S. designed for post COVID-19 environment.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2020
Construction employment rises from April to May in 45 states, slips in 5
Rebound from April job losses reflects one-shot help from paycheck protection program loans and easing of stay-at-home orders, but cancellations and state and local deficits imply further cuts ahead.
Market Data | Jun 19, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 19, 2020
Brown University's first housing building in three decades and demand for family rentals expected to jump.
Market Data | Jun 18, 2020
New data shows construction activity returning to pre-coronavirus levels in many parts of the country
Association survey and data collected by Procore measure impacts of the pandemic, showing signs of a construction recovery, but labor shortages and project cancellations show industry needs federal help.
