Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
Construction employment increased by 13,000 in June and 282,000 over the past year, bringing the total industry payroll to 7.22 million—its highest level since May 2008. “The construction industry continues to add workers faster than the economy as a whole, and is paying premium wages to attract and retain [them],” affirms AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson. “Employment gains are occurring in both residential and nonresidential construction. However, the industry is having to rely more on workers without construction experience, as the pool of unemployed construction workers has nearly evaporated.”
“The steps Congress and the Trump administration have taken to create a more positive business environment and boost employment appear to be working,” adds CEO Stephen Sandherr. “But new trade disputes and chronic underfunding of career and technical education programs pose a real threat to continued employment gains in the sector.”