Construction employment declined in 91% of the surveyed metro areas in the United States from March to April, according to an analysis of government data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The period between March and April is historically a time when construction employment ramps up ahead of the busy summer season, but the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has significantly disrupted the industry. Over the past 30 years, 75% of metro areas added construction jobs between March and April, on average, according to the AGC.
"[The] employment report shows how few areas were left unscathed by April's unprecedented job losses," AGC chief economist Ken Simonson said in a news release. "Our latest survey shows project cancellations are escalating, making further job losses inevitable unless there is funding for widespread new projects."
According to the AGC's most recent survey, one-fifth of respondents reported a project scheduled to begin in May had been canceled. Similarly, one quarter of respondents reported projects slated to start in June or later had been canceled. The results of the survey indicate the construction industry could be in line for further job losses in subsequent employment reports.
New York City lost the largest number of construction jobs on a month-to-month basis, losing 49% of its March total. Seattle-Bellvue-Everett, Wash., also suffered steep job loss in pure numbers, losing 44,200 jobs during the month. Construction employment decreased by over 50% in Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, Pa., Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, Mich., and Brockton, Bridgewater-Easton, Mass.
