Daily News

Construction Employment Increases in 223 Metro Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction employment expanded in 223 metro areas, declined in 72, and was stagnant in 44 between July 2013 and July 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by Associated General Contractors of America.

As employment grows, 25% of firms report that labor shortages are forcing them to turn down work, according to a new survey conducted by SmartBrief, an industry leader in curated business news and custom content, in partnership with the association. “Many construction firms looking to expand their payrolls are finding a surprisingly tight labor market,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “These expanding labor shortages threaten to impact construction schedules as firms struggle to find enough qualified workers.” These labor shortages are also having an impact on construction salaries, with 70% of firms reporting they are paying more for skilled labor than they did last year.