U.S. construction employment rises in March

ARLINGTON, VA. — Construction employment rose in almost two-thirds of American metro areas between March 2023 and March 2024, according to analysis of new government employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

The jobs total rose in 234, or 65 per cent, of 358 metro areas. Association officials noted demand for a range of projects, from infrastructure to manufacturing and data centers, continues to grow in many parts of the country even as firms struggle to find enough workers.

“While high interest rates and post-COVID work patterns are reducing demand for certain types of projects, the overall construction market remains strong and many firms are still expanding their payrolls,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a statement. “But most firms are struggling to find enough workers as the number of qualified, available workers remains insufficient to satisfy the demand.”

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. and Baton Rouge, La. added the most construction jobs (6,200 jobs each or six per cent and 13 per cent, respectively) between March 2023 and March 2024. Other metro areas with large numerical increases include Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas (5,700 jobs, seven per cent); Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (5,200 jobs, three per cent); and Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, Mich. (5,000 jobs, 22 per cent).

The largest percentage gain, 27 per cent, occurred in Fairbanks, Alaska, which added 600 jobs. Next was Redding, Calif. (24 per cent, 900 jobs); Detroit; Anchorage, Alaska (20 per cent, 1,800 jobs); Danville, Ill. (20 per cent, 100 jobs); and Lawton, Okla. (20 per cent, 300 jobs).

Construction employment declined over the year in 81 metro areas and was unchanged in 43 areas. The largest job loss occurred in New York City (minus 7,500 jobs, five per cent), followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn. (down 5,700 jobs, seven per cent); Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. (minus 5,600 jobs, five per cent); and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. (down 4,600 jobs, six per cent).