Construction employment rose in 238, or 66 percent, of 358 metro areas between October 2023 and October 2024, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that firms continue to boost pay rates as many of them struggle to find enough qualified workers to hire.
“While roughly two-thirds of metro areas have added construction workers in the past year, contractors would have hired more employees if there were enough qualified applicants,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors are struggling to fill openings despite offering above-average wages.”
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