Construction Employment Rose in 211 Metro Areas YOY in Nov.

Arlington, VA, December 21, 2016—Construction employment increased in 211 metro areas between November 2015 and November 2016, the lowest number of metro areas to add jobs in four years, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Association officials said that contractors in many parts of the country continue to struggle with worker shortages and urged the incoming Trump administration to include workforce measures with its new infrastructure program.

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado (9,600 jobs, 10%) and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida (9,600 jobs, 15%) added the most construction jobs during the past year, followed by Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Washington (8,100 jobs, 9%); Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada (7,900 jobs, 15%) and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia (6,600 jobs, 6%). The largest percentage gains occurred in Boise City, Idaho (21%, 3,900 jobs), followed by El Centro, California (17%, 500 jobs); Albany, Oregon (16%, 400 jobs) and Weirton-Steubenville, West Virginia-Ohio (16%, 300 jobs).

Construction employment declined in 86 metro areas and held steady in another 61 during the past 12 months. The largest job losses from November 2015 to November 2016 were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-12,700 jobs, -6%), followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, California (-4,400 jobs, -3%) and Orange-Rockland-Westchester, New York (-3,400 jobs, -8%). The largest percentage declines for the past year were in Casper, Wyoming (-15%, -500 jobs); Danville, Illinois (-14%, -100 jobs) and Wichita, Kansas (-12%, -2,100 jobs).

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