ARLINGTON, VA. — Construction employment increased in nearly two-thirds of U.S. metropolitan areas between March 2023 and March 2024, according to analysis of new government employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Total employment increased in 234, or 65 percent, of 358 metro areas. Association officials noted that demand for a range of projects, from infrastructure to manufacturing and data centers, continues to grow in many parts of the country, even as companies struggle to find enough workers.
“While high interest rates and post-Covid work patterns reduce demand for certain types of projects, the overall construction market remains strong and many companies continue to increase their workforce,” said Ken Simonson , chief economist of the association, in a press release. “But most companies are struggling to find enough workers, as the number of qualified and available workers remains insufficient to meet demand.”
-Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California and Baton Rouge, Louisiana added the most construction jobs (6,200 jobs each, or 6 percent and 13 percent, respectively) between March 2023 and March 2024. Other regions Metropolitans with large numerical increases include Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas (5,700 jobs, 7%); Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona (5,200 jobs, 3%); and Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, Michigan (5,000 jobs, 22 percent).
The largest percentage increase, 27 percent, occurred in Fairbanks, Alaska, where 600 jobs were created. Next is Redding, California (24 percent, 900 jobs); Detroit; Anchorage, Alaska (20 percent, 1,800 jobs); Danville, Illinois (20 percent, 100 jobs); and Lawton, Oklahoma (20 percent, 300 jobs).
Construction employment declined over the year in 81 metropolitan areas and remained unchanged in 43 regions. The largest job loss occurred in New York (minus 7,500 jobs, or 5%), followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn. (down 5,700 jobs, seven percent); Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado (minus 5,600 jobs, five percent); and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Oregon-Wash. (down 4,600 jobs, six percent).
