Construction Employment Continues Growing in Many of Nation’s Largest Metro Areas

Construction employment grew in 252 out of 358 metro areas — approximately 70% — between August 2018 and August 2019, declined in 60 and was unchanged in 46, according to an analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. 
AGC’s analysis showed that the Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas metro area added the most construction jobs during the past year (12,400 jobs, +8%). Other metro areas adding a large amount of construction jobs during the past 12 months include Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ (11,000 jobs, +9%); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA. (9,600 jobs, +6%) and St. Louis, MO (7,100 jobs, +10%). The largest percentage gain occurred in Auburn-Opelika, AL (15%, 400 jobs) and Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA (+15%, 2,400 jobs) followed by Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA (+14%, 4,300 jobs).
The largest job losses between August 2018 and August 2019 occurred in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC (-2,900 jobs, -4%), followed by Baton Rouge, LA (-2,600 jobs, -5%); Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT (-1,500 jobs, -7%) and Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, MD (-1,400 jobs, -4%). The largest percentage decrease took place in Fairbanks, AK (-9%, -300 jobs) and Longview, TX (-9%, -1,300 jobs), followed by Houma-Thibodaux, LA (-8%, -400 jobs).
Electrical Marketing estimates that electrical contractors account for 13% of total construction employment. According to Electrical Wholesaling’s 2019 Market Planning Guide, each electrical contractor employee represents $66,313 in electrical sales potential.