Construction Employment Posts Widespread Growth in November

Arlington, VA, December 21, 2015—Strong demand for construction projects fueled job growth in November in 38 states compared to October and in all but six states over the past 12 months, according to analysis of Labor Department data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Association officials said, however, that the shortage of available workers was likely keeping firms from expanding headcounts even more rapidly in many parts of the country.

"In nearly every state, contractors are busier now than a year ago," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. "Employment is up, but the industry would be expanding even more rapidly if contractors could find enough qualified workers."

Nationally, construction employment climbed by 4.2% from November 2014 to November 2015—more than double the rate for total nonfarm employment, Simonson noted. He added out that construction spending rose 13% in the latest 12 months, suggesting a need for even more workers. He cautioned that filling those openings may be difficult in many states because the number of unemployed jobseekers in November who last worked in construction was at the lowest November level in 15 years.

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