Construction Employment Stalls Month-on-Month, but Shows Top Gains Since June 2015

Words: Dan KamysAccording to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment was stagnant from May to June 2016, but hourly pay increases and longer workweeks, along with fewer unemployed construction workers, suggest contractors would hire more workers if they were available. As a result, association officials urged Congress to pass legislation to reform and increase funding for career and technical education. Construction employment totaled 6,643,000 in June, matching the level in May. Industry employment dipped by 6,000 in April and 16,000 in May. Average hourly earnings (wages and salaries for all workers) increased 2.8 percent in construction over the past year to $28.13 in June. Both earnings and average weekly hours for all construction workers—39.2 hours in June—have increased in the past three months, even though employment tapered off. Unemployed jobseekers in June who last worked in the construction industry and the unemployment rate for those individuals were the lowest June levels since 2000. Residential construction added 2,300 jobs in June and 134,000, or 5.5 percent, compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, non-residential construction lost 1,500 jobs for the month but gained 83,000 employees compared to June 2015, a 2.1 percent rise. Association officials said the data indicates that shortages of qualified workers are undermining the construction sector's growth. They urged Congress to reauthorize and reform the Carl D. Perkins Act to provide both flexibility and funding for more career and technical education programs in schools to prepare future construction workers. For more details, visit AGC of America.
Contractor Tip of the Month: Get Used to the Pain
April 2026

Pain isn’t just negative; it’s a natural part of growing and improving. Instead of seeing pain as a reason to quit, recognize it as a sign you’re making progress. What sets successful people apart is their ability to stay calm and keep going when things g

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More