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U.S. construction jobs up 17,000 in April; up 257,000 over past year

May 4, 2018  By AGC of America


May 4, 2018 – Construction employment increased by 17,000 jobs in April and by 257,000 jobs over the past year while firms boosted pay to help recruit new workers, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the increases in pay appear to be attracting more former construction workers back into the job market, but cautioned that labour conditions remain extremely tight.

“Many firms are boosting pay and taking other steps to compete for a relatively small pool of available, qualified workers to hire,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “While these steps appear to be luring more construction workers back to the job market, firms report they would hire even more workers if they could find enough qualified candidates.”

Construction employment totalled 7,174,000 in April, a gain of 17,000 for the month and 257,000, or 3.7 per cent, over 12 months. Construction employment is at the highest level since June 2008. Association officials pointed out that the­­ year-over-year growth rate in industry jobs was more triple the 1.1 per cent rise in total non-farm payroll employment.

Hourly earnings in the industry averaged $29.63 in April, an increase of 3.5 per cent from a year earlier. That put the average hourly earnings in construction 10.4 per cent higher than the average for all non-farm private-sector jobs, which rose 2.6 per cent in the past year, to $26.84, Sandherr added.

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The increases in pay appear to be attracting more people with prior construction experience back into the workforce, association officials added. They noted that the unemployment rate in construction increased from 6.3 per cent a year ago to 6.5 per cent last month. The number of unemployed job seekers with recent construction experience has increased 38,000 since April 2017.

Residential construction – comprising residential building and specialty trade contractors – grew by 7,500 jobs in April and added 125,500 jobs over the past 12 months, a 4.7 per cent increase. Non-residential construction – including building, specialty trades and heavy and civil engineering construction – employment grew by 7,600 jobs in April and increased by 131,700 during the past year, 3.1 per cent increase.

Construction officials urged federal, state and local officials to take steps to make it easier for schools, construction firms and local associations to put in place construction-focused programs to recruit and prepare future construction workers. They noted that such measures would signal to more students that there are multiple paths to success in life. 

“It is time to start showing more of our young adults that high-paying careers in construction should be on the list of professions they consider,” Sandherr said. “Not every student needs to amass a mountain of college debt just to be able to make mediocre wages working in a fluorescent-lit cube farm.”


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