This article originally appeared on the REMODELING website.
Construction employment increased in 69.6% of the 358 metro areas analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) between May 2018 and May 2019. According to the organization, construction employment grew in 249 metro areas and was unchanged in an additional 52 metro areas. The growth in construction employment was almost level with the AGC’s report for April, when 250 metro areas added construction jobs year over year. Both represent increases from the 232 metro areas that added jobs between February 2018 and February 2019 and the 218 metros that added jobs in the 12 month period between March 2018 and 2019.
Many construction firms report having a hard time finding qualified workers to keep pace with the high demand for construction services despite increasing pay, boosting training, and adding hiring incentives to recruit workers, according to AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr.
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz., Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif., Atlanta-Sand Springs-Roswell, Ga., Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev., added the most construction jobs in pure numbers during the past 12 months. Monroe, Mich., Auburn-Opelika, Ala., Spokane-Spokane Valley, Wash., and Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill., added the highest percentage of jobs between May 2018 and May 2019.
Baton Rouge, La., and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Ill., reported the largest decrease in construction jobs in pure numbers in the past year, while Danville, Ill., and Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J., experienced the largest percentage decrease in construction jobs.
