Nearly one-third of U.S. metro areas lost construction jobs between August 2020 and August 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials noted that the job losses are occurring as the fate of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would boost demand for construction remains uncertain in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“While construction activity has rebounded from pandemic lows in many metros, the recovery is fragile,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Extreme production and delivery delays, along with continuing high materials costs, may lead to project cancellations and postponements that cut into job gains.”
Construction employment declined from a year earlier in 65 metros and held steady in 37. New York City lost the most jobs (-8,600 jobs or -6%), followed by Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y. (-5,100 jobs, -6%); Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla. (-3,200 jobs, -6%); Calvert-Charles-Prince George’s, Md. (-2,400 jobs, -7%) and Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-2,300 jobs, -1%). The largest percentage declines were in Evansville, Ind.-Ky. (-14%, -1,400 jobs); Tuscaloosa, Ala. (-12%, -800 jobs); Watertown-Fort Drum, N.Y. (-11%, -200 jobs); Morristown, Tenn. (-10%, -200 jobs); Victoria, Texas (-9%, -300 jobs) and Gadsden, Ala. (-9%, -100 jobs).
Construction employment increased in 256 out of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months. San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. added the most construction jobs (8,900 jobs, 11%; followed by Sacramento-Roseville--Arden-
Association officials urged members of both parties in the House to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, noting its new funding was needed to modernize the nation’s aging highways and transit systems. They noted the measure is slated for a vote this Thursday and cautioned that the industry was likely to lose more construction jobs without the measure.
“This is the kind of infrastructure bill that Democrats and Republicans have been promising to pass for years now,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Failing to pass this measure will create new challenges for the economy.”
View the metro employment data, rankings, top 10, new highs and lows, and map.
Related Stories
Market Data | Jun 18, 2018
AI is the path to maximum profitability for retail and FMCG firms
Leading retailers including Amazon, Alibaba, Lowe’s and Tesco are developing their own AI solutions for automation, analytics and robotics use cases.
Market Data | Jun 12, 2018
Yardi Matrix report details industrial sector's strength
E-commerce and biopharmaceutical companies seeking space stoke record performances across key indicators.
Market Data | Jun 8, 2018
Dodge Momentum Index inches up in May
May’s gain was the result of a 4.7% increase by the commercial component of the Momentum Index.
Market Data | Jun 4, 2018
Nonresidential construction remains unchanged in April
Private sector spending increased 0.8% on a monthly basis and is up 5.3% from a year ago.
Market Data | May 30, 2018
Construction employment increases in 256 metro areas between April 2017 & 2018
Dallas-Plano-Irving and Midland, Texas experience largest year-over-year gains; St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. and Bloomington, Ill. have biggest annual declines in construction employment amid continuing demand.
Market Data | May 29, 2018
America’s fastest-growing cities: San Antonio, Phoenix lead population growth
San Antonio added 24,208 people between July 2016 and July 2017, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Market Data | May 25, 2018
Construction group uses mobile technology to make highway work zones safer
Mobile advertising campaign urges drivers who routinely pass through certain work zones to slow down and be alert as new data shows motorists are more likely to be injured than construction workers.
Market Data | May 23, 2018
Architecture firm billings strengthen in April
Firms report solid growth for seven straight months.
Market Data | May 22, 2018
Vacancies stable, rents rising, and pipeline receding, according to Transwestern’s 1Q US Office Market report
The Big Apple still leads the new construction charge.
Market Data | May 18, 2018
Construction employment rises in 38 states and D.C. from April 2017 to April 2018
California & West Virginia have biggest annual job gains, North Dakota has largest decline; California & Louisiana have largest monthly pickup, Indiana & North Dakota lead monthly drops.