CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES IN 217 OUT OF 358 METRO AREAS BETWEEN APRIL 2017 AND 2017 AMID STRONG PRIVATE-SECTOR DEMAND FOR CONSTRUCTION

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. and Lake Charles, La. Have Largest Year-over-Year Gains; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Casper, Wyo. Experience Biggest Declines for the Year

News Release from Associated General Contractors of America, May 31, 2017

Construction employment increased in 217 out of 358 metro areas between April 2016 and April 2017, declined in 89 and stagnated in 52, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that construction firms in many parts of the country continue to expand headcount amid strong private-sector demand for their services.

"Construction employment continues to expand in the majority of the nation's metro areas," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Many firms are adding new employees as they work to keep pace with demand for new private-sector projects."

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (14,600 jobs, 16 percent) added the most construction jobs during the past year, followed by Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (8,900 jobs, 13 percent); Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. (8,500 jobs, 16 percent); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. (6,800 jobs, 6 percent) and San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. (6,300 jobs, 8 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in the Lake Charles, La. (29 percent, 5,300 jobs) metro area, followed by Lewiston, Idaho-Wash. (23 percent; 300 jobs); Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, Mich. (18 percent, 3,600 jobs) and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise.

The largest job losses from April 2016 to April 2017 were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-7,600 jobs, -3 percent), followed by St. Louis, Mo. (-4,000 jobs, -6 percent); Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Ill. (-3,800 jobs, -3 percent) and Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, N.J. (-3,200 jobs, -8 percent). The largest percentage decreases for the year were in Casper, Wyo. (-21 percent, -700 jobs); Charleston, W.V (-16 percent, -1,200 jobs); Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Miss. (-12 percent, -1,100 jobs); Bay City, Mich. (-10 percent, - 100 jobs) and Trenton, N.J. (-10 percent, -500 jobs).

(Construction employment in Urban Honolulu dropped 1% from 28,100 in April, 2016 to 27,800 in April, 2017 for a net loss of 300 jobs.  Honolulu ranks 271st of 358 metro areas.  Construction employment on Maui (Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina) jumped 8% from 3,800 in April, 2016 to 4,100 in April, 2017.  Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ranks 48th of 358 metro areas.)

Association officials cautioned that public investments in infrastructure have declined by 8.5 percent during the past twelve months, even as private-sector demand continues to grow.  They added that deteriorating infrastructure could undermine continued economic growth as businesses are forced to pay more, and wait longer, to ship goods and services.  They said an infrastructure proposal outlined by the Trump administration last week should provoke needed debate in Washington about how to pay for future public works projects.

"Private-sector demand will suffer if employers are forced to spend more to cope with congested roads, aging bridges and inefficient water systems," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer.  "Congress needs to find a reliable and long-term way to pay for future upgrades before aging infrastructure undermines future growth prospects."

View the metro employment data by rank and state. View metro employment map.

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