National – Construction employment grew in 253, or 71%, out of 358 metro areas between June 2018 and June 2019, declined in 61 and was unchanged in 44, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. metro area added the most construction jobs during the past year (13,200 jobs, 11%). Other metro areas adding a large amount of construction jobs during the past 12 months include Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (11,400 jobs, 8%); Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (8,800 jobs, 6%); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. (8,000 jobs, 6%); and Nassau County-Suffolk County N.Y. (7,600 jobs, 9%).
The largest percentage gain occurred in Auburn-Opelika, Ala. (24%, 600 jobs) followed by Pocatello, Idaho (18%, 300 jobs); Camden, N.J. (17%, 4,000 jobs); Spokane-Spokane Valley, Wash. (16%, 2,400 jobs); Toledo, Ohio (14%, 2,100 jobs) and Monroe, Mich. (14%, 300 jobs).
The largest job losses between June 2018 and June 2019 occurred in Baton Rouge, La. (-5,400 jobs, -9%), followed by Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Ill. (-2,500 jobs, -2%); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C. (-2,400 jobs, -4%); Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn. (-1,600 jobs, -8%) and Longview, Texas (-1,500 jobs, -10%).
The largest percentage decrease took place in Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. (-15%, -1,000 jobs) followed by Longview; Baton Rouge; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford and Ithaca, N.Y. (-8%, -100 jobs).
Association officials said that one of the biggest challenges facing many construction firms is the lack of available, qualified workers to hire.
