Construction employment increased in nearly two out of three U.S. metro areas in 2021, according to an analysis of new government employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Construction employment increased in nearly two out of three U.S. metro areas in 2021, according to an analysis of new government employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Job openings in construction totaled 273,000 at the end of December, an increase of nearly 30 percent over December 2020, according to the government’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. That exceeded the 220,000 employees that construction firms hired in December, implying firms would have added over twice as many workers if they had been able to fill all openings.
Construction employment rose in 231, or 65%, of 358 metro areas in 2021. The greatest gains were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (8,800 jobs, 4%), Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Ill. (6,500 jobs, 5%) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (6,300 jobs, 4%). Sioux Falls, S.D., had the highest percentage gain (24%, 2,100 jobs), followed by Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas (18%, 3,000 jobs) and Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. (18%, 900 jobs).
Construction employment declined from a year earlier in 76 metros and was flat in 51. Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y., lost the most jobs (-5,700 jobs, -7%), followed by New York City (-4,200 jobs, -3%) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Md. (-3,800 jobs, -5%). The largest percentage declines were in Evansville, Ind.-Ky. (-1,700 jobs, -18%); Napa, Calif. (-600 jobs, -15%); Anchorage, Alaska (-1,400 jobs, -14%); and Lewiston, Idaho-Wash. (-200 jobs, -13%). Seven areas set all-time lows for December, while 57 metros reached new December highs for construction jobs.