Construction employment decreased in 241, or 67%, out of 358 metro areas between August 2019 and last month, according to an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials urged Congress to pass new coronavirus relief measures before leaving town.
“Although residential construction is picking up in many areas, public and nonresidential construction are shrinking,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Project cancellations are spreading, and fewer new projects are starting up. That combination makes further employment declines inevitable unless the federal government steps up support for infrastructure.”
Simonson noted that construction employment was stagnant in 29 metro areas and increased in only 88 areas (25%) over the past 12 months. Nineteen metros had all-time lows for August construction employment, while 33 areas had record highs for August, in data going back to 1990 for most areas.
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas lost the most construction jobs over 12 months (-22,800 jobs, -10%), followed by New York City (-21,700 jobs, -13 percent). Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Mass. had the largest percentage decline (-38 percent, -2,200 jobs), followed by Johnstown, Pa. (-34 percent, -1,000 jobs).
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind. added the most construction jobs from August 2019 to August 2020 (4,800 jobs, 9%), followed by Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Md. (4,300 jobs, 5%). Niles-Benton Harbor, Mich. had the highest percentage increase (16%, 400 jobs), followed by Fond du Lac, Wisc. (15%, 500 jobs) and Walla Walla, Wash. (15%, 100 jobs).
Association officials urged Congressional leaders to not leave town until after the election without passing much-needed new coronavirus relief measures. In particular, the construction officials called on Congress to pass new liability protections for firms that are taking steps to protect workers from the coronavirus. They also urged Congressional leaders to boost investments in infrastructure and pass measures designed to preserve payrolls.
“The coronavirus and efforts to mitigate its spread have left our economy deeply wounded, depressing demand for many types of commercial construction projects,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Congress can end the downward economic slide and help create needed new construction jobs by passing measures to boost demand and protect honest employers.”
View the metro employment 12-month data, rankings, top 10, and map.
Related Stories
Market Data | Sep 22, 2016
Architecture Billings Index slips, overall outlook remains positive
Business conditions are slumping in the Northeast.
Market Data | Sep 20, 2016
Backlog skyrockets for largest firms during second quarter, but falls to 8.5 months overall
While a handful of commercial construction segments continue to be associated with expanding volumes, for the most part, the average contractor is no longer getting busier, says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
Designers | Sep 13, 2016
5 trends propelling a new era of food halls
Food halls have not only become an economical solution for restauranteurs and chefs experiencing skyrocketing retail prices and rents in large cities, but they also tap into our increased interest in gourmet locally sourced food, writes Gensler's Toshi Kasai.
Building Team | Sep 6, 2016
Letting your resource take center stage: A guide to thoughtful site selection for interpretive centers
Thoughtful site selection is never about one factor, but rather a confluence of several components that ultimately present trade-offs for the owner.
Market Data | Sep 2, 2016
Nonresidential spending inches lower in July while June data is upwardly revised to eight-year record
Nonresidential construction spending has been suppressed over the last year or so with the primary factor being the lack of momentum in public spending.
Industry Research | Sep 1, 2016
CannonDesign releases infographic to better help universities obtain more R&D funding
CannonDesign releases infographic to better help universities obtain more R&D funding.
Industry Research | Aug 25, 2016
Building bonds: The role of 'trusted advisor' is earned not acquired
A trusted advisor acts as a guiding partner over the full course of a professional relationship.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2016
A new research platform launches for a data-deprived multifamily sector
The list of leading developers, owners, and property managers that are funding the NMHC Research Foundation speaks to the information gap it hopes to fill.
Hotel Facilities | Aug 17, 2016
Hotel construction continues to flourish in major cities
But concerns about overbuilding persist.
Market Data | Aug 16, 2016
Leading economists predict construction industry growth through 2017
The Chief Economists for ABC, AIA, and NAHB all see the construction industry continuing to expand over the next year and a half.
