Construction Employment Rose in 228 of 358 Metro Areas in YOY in June

Arlington, VA, August 4, 2016—Construction employment increased in 228 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 48 and declined in 82 between June 2015 and June 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Association officials urged Congress to act on legislation to reform and increase federal funding for career and technical education to encourage more high school students to pursue high-paying careers in construction.

"Contractors are adding employees in most parts of the country, while construction job losses are primarily in areas that are most affected by the steep decline in oil and gas drilling," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist, adding that construction employment hit new peak levels in 32 metro areas. "However, increases in construction employment are becoming less widespread as more contractors run into difficulty finding qualified workers."

Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, California added the most construction jobs during the past year (12,500 jobs, 14 %). Other metro areas adding a large number of construction jobs include Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado (10,700 jobs, 11%); Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona (9,900 jobs, 10%); and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida (9,500 jobs, 16%). The largest percentage gains occurred in Kokomo, Indiana (20%, 200 jobs); Boise City, Idaho (19%, 3,600 jobs); Brockton-Bridgewater-Eastern, Massachusetts (17%, 800 jobs) and Danville, Illinois (17%, 100 jobs).

The largest job losses from June 2015 to June 2016 were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-3,300 jobs, -2%), followed by Midland, Texas (-1,400 jobs, -5%); Odessa, Texas (-1,300 jobs, -8%); and New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana (-1,200 jobs, -4 percent). The largest percentage declines for the past year were in Bloomington, Ill. (-19%, -600 jobs); Rocky Mount, North Carolina (-13%, -300 jobs); Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, Alabama (-11%, -100 jobs) and Grants Pass, Oregon (-11%, -100 jobs).

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