The construction industry added 22,000 jobs between August and September, totalling 7.44 million, the Associated General Contractors of America reported. Total construction industry employment remained 201,000 jobs below the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020.
Residential construction alone added 3,600 jobs in September, outpacing its February 2020 numbers by 80,000.
Nonresidential construction recorded its first employment gains in six months, increasing by 18,600 in September. Nonresidential construction jobs remained below February 2020 numbers by 281,000, so far recovering only 56% of the jobs lost during the first two months of the pandemic.
Widespread supply chain issues remain an issue within the industry, causing many owners to delay or cancel projects, AGC reported. The wood flooring industry is also feeling the impact of shipping delays and subsequent cost hikes.
“While it is refreshing to see job gains in both residential and nonresidential construction, nonresidential building and infrastructure employment remains far below its pre-pandemic peak,” stated Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “It will take more than a few months of gains to match the overall economy.”
The full AGC report can be found here.