While construction employment growth has been strong in September and October, an Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) analysis of government data indicates only 30% of the nation’s metro areas have added construction jobs in the past 12 months. Construction employment has been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as businesses and local governments curtail construction projects. A recent survey conducted by the AGC found that three-quarters of respondents had a scheduled project postponed or cancelled, compared to one-quarter who reported working a new or expanded project as a result of the pandemic.
“The pandemic has devastated the finances for businesses, institutions, and state and local governments, leading to widespread postponements and cancellations of construction projects,” Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist, said in a prepared statement.
Construction employment fell in 58% of the 358 metro areas included in government data between October 2019 and October 2020 and was stagnant in an additional 40 metro areas. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas lost the most construction jobs in pure numbers over the past 12 months while Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass., experienced the largest percentage decline in industry employment. Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas added the most construction jobs between October 2019 and October 2020 while Walla Walla, Wash., experienced the highest percentage increase over the past 12 months.
