Construction employment increased in 268 of 358 metro areas between July 2020 and July 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Over those 12 months, construction employment declined in 54 metros and was unchanged in 36 metros. Despite the year-over-year increases recorded, construction employment remains below pre-pandemic levels in many areas of the country, according to AGC.
“The rapid spread of the delta variant of coronavirus, along with soaring material costs and multiple supply-chain difficulties, appears to be causing some project owners to delay starting construction,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “However, the virus flare-up threatens further job gains, particularly because construction workers have a lower vaccination rate and thus a higher risk of becoming ill than other occupations.”
The Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash., area added the most construction jobs year-over-year in July, with 10,200—a 10% jump. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas, area recorded the largest decline compared with last year, shedding 7,000 jobs, a 3% drop.
