Construction employment increased by 4,000 jobs in July and 2.8% over the past 12 months, according to analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Additionally, the AGC reported, the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience rose.

“Job gains in construction have slowed markedly in recent months but the industry is still increasing employment nearly twice as much as other employers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The recent slowdown in hiring and construction spending may reflect contractors’ difficulty in finding enough qualified workers, rather than a downturn in demand for projects.”

Simonson noted that the 2.8% growth in construction employment between July 2018 and July 2019 was the slowest in more than six years but that the rate remained close to double the 1.5% increase in total nonfarm payroll employment. The unemployment rate for jobseekers who last worked in construction increased from 3.4% in July 2018 to 3.8%, but Simonson said that was nevertheless the second-lowest July rate since the series began in 2000.

Average hourly earnings in construction—a measure of all wages and salaries—increased 2.8% over the year to $30.75. That figure was 9.9% higher than the private-sector average of $27.98, the association official noted.

Read More