National – Nearly two out of three U.S. metro areas added construction jobs between October 2020 and October 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data recently released.
Construction employment increased in 236 or 66% of 358 metro areas over the last 12 months. Sacramento, Calif.; Roseville, Calif.; Arden, Calif.; and Arcade, Calif. added the most construction jobs (6,800 jobs, 9%), followed by Boston; Cambridge, Mass.; Newton, Mass. (6,600 jobs, 9%); Orlando; Kissimmee, Fla.; Sanford, Fla. (6,400 jobs, 9%); Seattle; Bellevue, Wash.;Everett, Wash. (5,500 jobs, 5%); and Pittsburgh, Pa. (5,200 jobs, 7%). Worcester, Mass. had the highest percentage increase (20%, 2,000 jobs), followed by Sioux Falls, S.D. (19%, 800 jobs); Beaumont, Texas; Port Arthur, Texas (19%, 3,200 jobs); Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. (16%, 800 jobs) and Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Douglas, Ariz. (15%, 500 jobs).
Construction employment declined from a year earlier in 72 metros and held steady in 50. Nassau County and Suffolk County, N.Y. lost the most jobs (-6,700 or -8%), followed by New York City (-5,500 jobs, -3%); Orange County, Rockland County, and Westchester county, N.Y. (-3,600 jobs, -8%); Dallas; Plano, Texas; Irving, Texas (-2,800 jobs, -2%) and Calvert-Charles-Prince George’s counties, Md. (-2,600 jobs, -8%). The largest percentage declines were in Evansville, Ind.-Ky. (-17%, -1,700 jobs); Altoona, Pa. (-13%, -400 jobs); Watertown, N.Y.; Fort Drum, N.Y. (-11%, -200 jobs); and Gary, Ind. (-10%, -1,700 jobs).
