ARLINGTON, VA. — Construction employment increased in 306 of 358 U.S. metropolitan areas between January 2022 and January 2023 according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data.
In a recent statement, association officials urged Washington to enable hiring of foreign-born workers to accommodate expected growth in infrastructure, manufacturing and renewable energy-related projects.
“This report shows construction has been growing nearly everywhere, with jobs being added in 85 per cent of metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a statement. “Despite a decline in homebuilding, contractors in many markets are likely to have trouble finding enough workers to undertake more projects.”
Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas added the most construction jobs (13,600 jobs or nine per cent); followed by Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (9,200 jobs, four per cent); Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (8,400 jobs, six per cent); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. (8,000 jobs, six per cent); and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. (8,000 jobs, 11 per cent).
The largest percentage gains (23 per cent each) were in Janesville-Beloit, Wisc. (700 jobs) and Wausau, Wisc. (500 jobs), followed by 20-per cent gains in Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. (200 jobs); Springfield, Ill. (600 jobs); and Watertown-Fort Drum, N.Y. (300 jobs), among other locales.
Construction jobs declined over the year in 29 metro areas and were unchanged in 23 areas. The largest loss occurred in Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, Calif. (minus 6,200 jobs, eight per cent), followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (minus 4,000 jobs, three per cent).
Association officials said demand for manufacturing plants, data centres and a variety of infrastructure and renewable energy projects will add to the need for more trained construction employees.
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