Construction Employment Decreases in About 46 Percent of Metro Areas from April 2011 to 2012
May 30, 2012

Construction employment declined in 157 out of 337 metropolitan areas from April 2011 and April 2012, increased in 120 and stayed level in 60, according to an analysis of federal employment data released yesterday by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

"As public investments in infrastructure and other forms of construction continue to decline, construction employment is taking a hit in many parts of the country," says AGC's chief economist, Ken Simonson.

According to the analysis, the largest job losses were in Chicago, Joliet, and Naperville, Ill. (- 6,500 jobs or - 6 percent), followed by Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, Fla. (- 6,200 jobs or - 12 percent). Anchorage, Alaska lost the highest percentage of construction employment (- 28 percent or - 2,400 jobs).

The analysis also states Fargo, N.D.-Minn. added the highest percentage of new construction jobs (increasing by 27 percent or 1,600 jobs) followed by Bakersfield-Delano, Calif. (increasing by 24 percent or 3,300 jobs).

"One of the best ways to boost the private sector and put construction workers back on the job is by investing in our aging infrastructure," says AGC chief executive officer Stephen Sandherr.