Construction employment increased by 19,000 jobs in March, totalling more than 7.6 million and topping the pre-pandemic peak set in February 2020 for the first time, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The residential construction sector added 7,600 employees in March, exceeding the February 2020 level by 5.4%. Nonresidential construction firms added 11,300 employees in March, 3.4% shy of the February 2020 mark.
“Construction is contributing significantly to the expansion of employment and the overall economy,” stated Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “But the sector is facing growing challenges in terms of filling job openings, obtaining materials, and keeping up with soaring wages and prices.”
Construction job openings at the end of February totaled 364,000—the largest February total in the 22-year history of the series, according to AGC.
