Construction Employment Up in 3/5 of U.S. Metro Areas, August 2015-2016

Words: Dan Kamys29 September 2016 — According to analysis of federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment increased in three-fifths of U.S. metro areas between August 2015 and August 2016. This was the smallest share in nearly three and a half years, as contractors in many areas report difficulty in finding qualified workers. Association officials said the new data underscores the need to make it easier for school officials to set up programs that teach skills like construction. Construction employment increased in 220 (61%) of 358 metro areas in the past year, held steady in 62 areas, and declined in 76 areas. The number of areas with gains was the smallest since April 2013. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. added the most construction jobs during the past year (11,400 jobs, 12%), followed by Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, Calif.; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla.; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. and Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, Calif. The largest percentage gains occurred in Boise City, Idaho (24%, 4,500 jobs) and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford. The largest job losses year-over-year were in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (-3,700 jobs, -2%), followed by Birmingham-Hoover, Ala. and Louisville-Jefferson County, Ky. The largest percentage declines for the past year were in Bloomington, Ill. (-16%, -500 jobs); Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, Ala.; Dothan, Ala.; and Lawton, Okla. Firms in many parts of the country are still having a hard time finding enough workers to hire. "Many firms would be hiring more people if only they could find qualified applicants to bring onboard," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer, who urged the Senate to act quickly on a House-passed measure to reform and boost funding for career and technical education programs. "Making it easier for school officials to offer programs that prepare students for high-paying careers in construction will certainly help overcome chronic workforce shortages in the industry." For the complete analysis, visit www.agc.org.
The Behind-the-Wall Secrets Every Mason Already Knows (But Some Ignore)
May 2026

You’ve been around long enough to know this already: stone doesn’t fail on the face; it fails behind the wall. You can lay the prettiest veneer in the county, but if the prep is junk, that wall’s gonna start telling on you after a couple of winters. Manu

Rob McKay
Technical Talks
Read More
Masonry Innovation in Action: Belden Brick’s Glazed Thin Brick Redefines Design Possibilities
May 2026

Masonry innovation is pivotal in shaping the built environment, and The Belden Brick Company is at the forefront of this evolution. Architects, designers, and contractors increasingly seek materials that marry high performance with bold aesthetics, and Be

Kristie Fitzgerald
MAP Partner
Read More
Celebrating Craftsmanship and Country
May 2026

The 250th anniversary of the United States is more than a date. It is a reflection of centuries of progress, innovation, and determination. STABILA has chosen to mark this milestone with a product that mirrors those same qualities. The Patriot Series Maso

Elsa Bueno
MAP Partner
Read More
Rethinking Shelf Angle Design for High-Performance Masonry Walls
May 2026

If you've been around masonry construction long enough, you know the shelf angle is one of those details that’s easy to take for granted. It’s been used the same way for decades, set it at the slab edge, support the veneer, move on. But as building requir

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More