Construction Firms Add 11,000 Employees in October 2016

Words: Dan Kamys4 November 2016 — According to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employers added 11,000 jobs in October 2016. Despite declines in public sector investments in construction projects, employment in the sector is at the highest level since December 2008. Association officials noted that average hourly earnings for construction workers increased by 3.2 percent compared to 12 months ago, as firms continue to expand amid shortages of available qualified workers. Construction employment totaled 6,679,000 in October, an increase of 11,000 from September and 195,000 (3.0 percent) from a year ago. The annual rate of increase in construction employment was nearly twice as fast as the 1.7 percent increase for total non-farm payroll employment. There were 512,000 unemployed jobseekers in October who last worked in the construction industry, the lowest total for October in 10 years.

Residential construction added 4,500 jobs in October and 139,700 (5.6 percent) compared to a year ago. Non-residential construction added 6,700 jobs for the month and gained 55,000 employees compared to October 2015, a 1.4 percent gain. Construction employment is up year-over-year for all segments except heavy and civil engineering construction, which lost 1,200 jobs since October 2015.

Average hourly earnings, a measure of wages and salaries for all workers, increased 3.2 percent in construction over the past year to $28.39 in October, nearly 10 percent more than for all non-farm jobs. For the private non-farm sector, earnings rose 2.8 percent over the past 12 months to $25.92.

For the full analysis and commentary, visit www.agc.org.
Stop Juggling: The Best Way to Master Your Masonry Job Sites
January 2026

You’re in the business of building structures that will stand for generations. Yet, too often, the process of managing the job site feels built on quicksand. Every construction project manager knows the feeling: the constant, fra

Erin Koets
Technical Talks
Read More
Brick Jointers: Purpose, Patterns, & Practical Applications
January 2026

After leads have been built and bricks have been laid, it’s crucial to tool the joints before the mortar sets. The tool of choice for this task is a brick jointer, but it can be tricky to decide which one to use. This guide will walk through the purpose o

Mackenzie Claassen
Technical Talks
Read More
Laying It Straight: Line-Holding Accessories for Masons Who Demand Precision
January 2026

When it comes to laying brick, block, or stone, nothing replaces a good line. A tight, true mason’s line is the backbone of straight courses and clean elevations, and the hardware holding that line is every bit as critical. Bon Tool’s lineup of Line & Lin

Paul Bender
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Eye Protection in Masonry
January 2026

There are few stereotypes more iconic than the image of a construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety glasses. Protective glasses are among the most common items worn by workers in the masonry field, second only to the hard hat. According to OSHA, w

Justus Everett
Safety Library
Read More