Construction employment increased in 268 of 358 metro areas between November 2021 and November 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said the job gains likely would have been higher, but that many contractors report that demand for new projects is outpacing the availability of workers in many parts of the country.

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction continued rising at a double-digit rate in November from a year earlier, propelled by outsized increases in the cost of a variety of building materials, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released Dec. 9. Association officials noted that contractors are having to pay more both for materials and for the subcontractor services they need to finish most projects.

The Associated General Contractors of America released a series of video public service ads Dec. 6 that feature real industry professionals who have felt the impact of suffering with mental health issues while trying to maintain the normalcy of day-to-day life and work. These videos are part of the association’s ongoing efforts to combat high suicide rates and improve mental health among the industry’s workers.

Construction companies added 20,000 employees in November and continued to raise wages for hourly workers more steeply than other sectors as the industry’s unemployment rate tumbled, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said the data shows that firms would have added significantly more workers if they could find more people to hire.

Total construction spending decreased by 0.3 percent for the month of October, with downturns in homebuilding and most major nonresidential categories, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released Dec. 1 of federal spending data. Association officials noted contractors are struggling to complete projects as the number of open positions at the end of October topped hires in the month.

Construction employment increased in 268, or 75 percent, of 358 metro areas between October 2021 and October 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted, however, that job vacancies outpaced hiring, as construction firms struggle to find enough qualified workers to hire.

A measure of construction contractors’ bid prices moved sharply higher in October as firms coped with ongoing supply chain challenges and a tight labor market, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released Nov. 15. Association officials said rising construction costs threaten to undermine demand for projects and urged administration officials to remove remaining tariffs on construction materials and to boost investments in construction-focused education and training.

The construction industry added only 1,000 employees in October while it continued to boost wages for hourly workers, as firms compete to hire from a small labor pool, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said the small increase in construction employment is an indication of how hard it has become for construction firms to find qualified workers to hire.

Total construction spending increased by 0.2 percent for the month of September and by 10.9 percent for the year, as nonresidential construction activity now outpaces residential construction, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released on Nov. 1 of federal spending data. Association officials noted that gains in public sector transportation construction have lagged other fast-growing segments as officials grapple with Buy America and other new regulatory requirements.

Thirty-two states added construction jobs between August and September, and an equal number boosted construction employment during the past twelve months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America on Oct. 21. Association officials said the job gains were welcome news, but that significant labor shortages in the industry likely held back even larger employment gains.