In the past year, construction hiring increased in 61% of US metropolitan statistical areas, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that last month, 12,000 jobs were added in this sector, with employment gains coming mostly from residential specialty trade contractors.
Over the year, 231,000 jobs have been added in construction. Despite rising employment, there remains a shortage of workers. Officials of the Associated General Contractors of America said that "as firms expand their payrolls, many are finding a limited supply of available qualified workers."