Construction employment increased by 31,000 jobs between October and November as nonresidential construction firms added workers for the third month in a row, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials said construction firms were likely to have added even more jobs if they could find more qualified workers to hire with many firms reporting a growing number of unfilled positions.
“It is heartening to see steady job growth across all construction segments following a long period during which only residential contractors were adding employees,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But record job openings show the industry needs still more workers as more types of nonresidential projects get started.”
Construction employment in November totaled 7,533,000, an increase of 31,000 since October and the highest seasonally adjusted figure since March 2020. However, industry employment still trails the pre-pandemic peak, set in February 2020, by 115,000 positions.
Nonresidential construction firms added 20,800 employees in November, following a pickup of 34,600 in October. The category comprises nonresidential building contractors, which added 5,900 employees; specialty trade contractors, with a gain of 6,800 workers; and heavy and civil engineering construction firms, with 8,100 more workers than in October, But nonresidential employment remains 209,000 below the February 2020 level, as the sector has recovered only 67% of the jobs lost in the first two months of the pandemic.
Residential construction added 10,300 employees in November. Residential building contractors such as homebuilders and general contractors that concentrate on multifamily construction, added 4,100 workers during the month, while residential specialty trade contractors added 6,200 employees. Residential employment in November exceeded the February 2020 mark by 95,000 positions.
Simonson noted that the number of job openings in the industry reached 333,000 in September, the latest month available. That amount is an all-time high for the month, he added.
Association officials said workforce shortages were likely to become more severe, citing the significant increase in federal infrastructure investments that will come now that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill has been enacted. They urged federal officials to boost investments in career and technical education programs that are needed to make more new workers aware of construction career opportunities.
“These new federal investments will create many new career opportunities in construction, now we need to make sure potential workers are aware of those opportunities and prepared to take advantage of them,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.
View the construction employment table.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 30, 2018
Outlook mixed for renewable energy installations in Middle East and Africa region
Several major MEA countries are actively supporting the growth of renewable energy.
Market Data | Apr 12, 2018
Construction costs climb in March as wide range of input costs jump
Association officials urge Trump administration, congress to fund infrastructure adequately as better way to stimulate demand than tariffs that impose steep costs on contractors and project owners.
Market Data | Apr 9, 2018
Construction employers add 228,000 jobs over the year despite dip in March
Average hourly earnings increase to $29.43 in construction, topping private sector by nearly 10%; Association officials urge updating and better funding programs to train workers for construction jobs.
Market Data | Apr 4, 2018
Construction employment increases in 257 metro areas between February 2017 & 2018 as construction firms continue to expand amid strong demand
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. and Merced, Calif. experience largest year-over-year gains; Baton Rouge, La. and Auburn-Opelika, Ala. have biggest annual declines in construction employment.
Market Data | Apr 2, 2018
Construction spending in February inches up from January
Association officials urge federal, state and local officials to work quickly to put recently enacted funding increases to work to improve aging and over-burdened infrastructure, offset public-sector spending drops.
Market Data | Mar 29, 2018
AIA and the University of Minnesota partner to develop Guides for Equitable Practice
The Guides for Equitable Practice will be developed and implemented in three phase.
Market Data | Mar 22, 2018
Architecture billings continue to hold positive in 2018
Billings particularly strong at firms in the West and Midwest regions.
Market Data | Mar 21, 2018
Construction employment increases in 248 metro areas as new metal tariffs threaten future sector job gains
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif., and Merced, Calif., experience largest year-over-year gains; Baton Rouge, La., and Auburn-Opelika, Ala., have biggest annual declines in construction employment.
Market Data | Mar 19, 2018
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator hits a new high: 2018 poised to be a very strong year for construction spending
CBI is up by 1.36 months, or 16.3%, on a year-over-year basis.
Market Data | Mar 15, 2018
ABC: Construction materials prices continue to expand briskly in February
Compared to February 2017, prices are up 5.2%.
