Construction Employment on the Upswing

Coconut Creek, FL, May 24, 2012 -– The nation’s construction industry unemployment rate fell to 14.5%, down from 17.2% in March and 17.8% in April, according to the May 4 employment report by the U.S. Labor Department.

Year over year, the construction industry has added 63,000 jobs or 1.1%.

“The nation’s economy has managed to regain some semblance of momentum since last September, which should ultimately translate into better news for the construction industry,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu.

The nonresidential building construction sector has added 6,000 jobs, a 0.9% increase year-over-year as April employment stood at 658,400.

Nonresidential specialty trade contractors have gained 3,900 jobs, a 0.2% increase since last April.

Heavy and civil engineering construction employment went up by 3,300 jobs for the month and has added 18,400 jobs, a 2.2% increase from April 2011.