4 November 2016 — According to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employers added 11,000 jobs in October 2016. Despite declines in public sector investments in construction projects, employment in the sector is at the highest level since December 2008. Association officials noted that average hourly earnings for construction workers increased by 3.2 percent compared to 12 months ago, as firms continue to expand amid shortages of available qualified workers.
Construction employment totaled 6,679,000 in October, an increase of 11,000 from September and 195,000 (3.0 percent) from a year ago. The annual rate of increase in construction employment was nearly twice as fast as the 1.7 percent increase for total non-farm payroll employment. There were 512,000 unemployed jobseekers in October who last worked in the construction industry, the lowest total for October in 10 years.
Residential construction added 4,500 jobs in October and 139,700 (5.6 percent) compared to a year ago. Non-residential construction added 6,700 jobs for the month and gained 55,000 employees compared to October 2015, a 1.4 percent gain. Construction employment is up year-over-year for all segments except heavy and civil engineering construction, which lost 1,200 jobs since October 2015.
Average hourly earnings, a measure of wages and salaries for all workers, increased 3.2 percent in construction over the past year to $28.39 in October, nearly 10 percent more than for all non-farm jobs. For the private non-farm sector, earnings rose 2.8 percent over the past 12 months to $25.92.
For the full analysis and commentary, visit www.agc.org.