ARLINGTON, VA. — U.S. construction employment decreased by 31,000 jobs in February as extreme winter weather affected the sector, reported the Associated General Contractors of America recently.
However, continuing year-over-year employment and wage increases that exceed those in other industries suggest there has been no letup in demand for projects, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America released March 8.
Construction employment totalled 7,422,000 in February, an increase of 223,000, or 3.1 per cent, since February 2018. That growth rate was nearly double the 1.7 per cent gain in total nonfarm payroll employment, the association noted. Average hourly earnings in construction — a measure of all wages and salaries — increased 3.1 per cent over the year to $30.45. That figure was more than 10 per cent higher than the private-sector average of $27.66.
“The decline in construction employment in February follows an oversized increase in January of 53,000 employees,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in the release. “That suggests contractors may have been able to bring workers on board sooner than normal and had less need to hire in February than usual, even if lousy weather conditions hadn’t stalled some projects.”
In a survey the association released in January, more contractors reported they expect the dollar volume of projects available to bid on to expand rather than to shrink in 2019 in each of 13 project categories. In addition, 79 per cent of construction firms reported that they expect to add employees in 2019.
However, nearly as many — 78 per cent — reported they were having trouble filling some positions and 68 per cent said they expected that hiring would remain difficult or become harder.
Association officials said all indications are that demand for construction remains strong and that firms continue searching for qualified candidates to hire.
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