Construction employment increased in 191 out of 339 metropolitan areas between June 2012 and June 2013, declined in 97 and was flat in 51, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials welcomed the construction employment gains but cautioned that demand remained spotty amid continued efforts to cut federal investments in vital infrastructure projects, including for clean water systems.
The number of metro areas with construction employment increases rose for the fifth consecutive month in June after bottoming out at 146 gainers in January, Simonson notes. The June total of 191 metro areas adding construction jobs was the largest number since March 2012.
Two metro areas tied for the largest number of new jobs added in the past 12 months: Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass. (9,900 jobs, 19 percent) and Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas (9,900 jobs, 6 percent). They were followed closely by Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz. (9,600 jobs, 11 percent) and Los Angeles-Long-Beach-Glendale (9,200 jobs, 8 percent). The largest percentage gains since June 2012 occurred in Pascagoula, Miss. (33 percent, 1,500 jobs), followed by Eau Claire, Wis. (31 percent, 1,000 jobs).
The largest job losses were in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (-5,500 jobs, -9 percent), followed by Northern Virginia (-2,900 jobs, -4 percent). The steepest percentage declines in construction employment occurred in Rockford, Ill. (-13 percent, -600 jobs) and Pocatello, Idaho (-13 percent, -200 jobs). They were followed by Gary, Ind. (-12 percent, -2,500 jobs) and Yuma, Ariz. (-12 percent, -300 jobs).
