AGC analysis: two-thirds of metro areas add construction jobs

AGC analysis: two-thirds of metro areas add construction jobs

Construction employment increased in two-thirds of U.S. metro areas between April 2021 and April 2022, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). However, association officials noted that a lack of qualified workers kept employment down in many metro areas.

A construction worker working on an elevated platform

“Contractors are eager to hire more workers, but the pool of experienced jobseekers barely exists,” said Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist. “As a result, employment gains have stalled in too many metros.”

The unemployment rate for jobseekers with construction experience fell from 7.7% in April 2021 to 4.6% in April 2022, the lowest April rate since the series began in 2000, Simonson noted. He said this indicated a scarcity of qualified workers available to hire in many metro areas.