Three-fourths of all metro areas added construction jobs between July 2020 and last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials noted that while many metro areas have added jobs since last summer, construction employment still lags pre-pandemic levels in many areas as the industry faces a host of challenges.
“The rapid spread of the delta variant of coronavirus, along with soaring materials costs and multiple supply-chain difficulties, appears to be causing some project owners to delay starting construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, the virus flare-up threatens further job gains, particularly because construction workers have a lower vaccination rate and thus a higher risk of becoming ill than other occupations.”
Construction employment increased in 268 out of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash. added the most construction jobs (10,200 jobs, 10%), followed by Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-
Construction employment declined from a year earlier in 54 metros and held steady in 36. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas lost the most jobs: 7,000 or 3%, followed by New York City (-6,300 jobs, -4%); Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla. (-3,500 jobs, -7%); Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y. (-2,400 jobs, -3%) and Calvert-Charles-Prince George’s, Md. (-2,400 jobs, -7%). The largest percentage declines, 11%, were in Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. (-600 jobs) and Evansville, Ind.-Ky. (-1,100 jobs), followed by 9% decreases in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (-600 jobs) and Victoria, Texas (-300 jobs).
Association officials urged federal officials to take steps to address supply-chain woes and boost demand for many types of construction services. They continued to call for the removal of tariffs on a host of critical construction materials, including steel and aluminum. And they urged the House of Representatives to quickly pass bipartisan infrastructure legislation that would give a needed boost to construction demand at a time when many private sector owners are rethinking projects amid rising prices and the spiking coronavirus cases.
“Washington officials have the ability to help offset soaring materials prices and boost flagging demand for commercial construction,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The president should put an immediate end to tariffs that are needlessly inflating the cost of key materials and members of the House should rapidly approve the bipartisan infrastructure bill.”
Related Stories
Market Data | May 8, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 8, 2020
The death of the office and Colorado's first multifamily project to receive WELL Precertification.
Market Data | May 7, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 7, 2020
5 memory care communities with a strong sense of mission and making jobsites safer in the COVID-19 world.
Market Data | May 6, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 6, 2020
5 questions engineers will ask after COVID-19 and coronavirus threatens push for denser housing.
Market Data | May 5, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 5, 2020
A new temporary hospital pops up in N.J., and apartment firms' reactivation plans begin to take shape.
Market Data | May 4, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 4, 2020
How working from home is influencing design and is this the end of the open office?
Market Data | May 4, 2020
The Los Angeles market continue to lead the U.S. hotel construction pipeline at the close of the first quarter of 2020
Nationally, under construction project counts hit a new all-time high with 1,819 projects with 243,100 rooms.
Market Data | May 1, 2020
Nonresidential construction spending declines in March as pandemic halts projects
Group warns loan threats are hurting relief program.
Market Data | May 1, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: May 1, 2020
DLR Group completes LA Memorial Coliseum renovation and over 50% of department stores in malls predicted to close by 2021.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 30, 2020
College programs help prepare students for careers in the construction industry and a national movement to cancel May rent takes shape.
Market Data | Apr 30, 2020
The U.S. Hotel Construction pipeline continued to expand year-over-year despite COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020
Many open or temporarily closed hotels have already begun or are in the planning stages of renovating and repositioning their assets while occupancy is low or non-existent.
