Steel Markets
April 29, 2021
AGC: Construction Employment Still Down in Metro Areas
Written by David Schollaert
Despite a homebuilding boom and an improving economy, construction employment fell in 203 metro areas in the 12 months from March 2020 to March 2021, reported the Associated General Contractors of America in their analysis of the latest government data. The 57.0% decrease in jobs over the 12-month period has hampered the industry on top of rising materials prices, supply chain disruptions and project cancellations in many parts of the country.
“Nearly twice as many metros have lost construction jobs as gained them in the past 12 months, even though homebuilding has recovered strongly and the overall economy is in much better shape than it was a year ago,” said AGC’s Chief Economist Ken Simonson. “Nonresidential construction is still at risk of further declines in much of the country.”
