Construction Job Growth: Houston, Anchorage Lead, New York City and Ithaca Lag Behind

Construction employment in the United States experienced significant changes between December 2023 and December 2024, with 244 out of 358 metro areas reporting job increases. However, the construction industry continues to face challenges in finding qualified workers, with many firms struggling to fill positions despite offering competitive wages (AGC, 2024).

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas, led the nation in construction job gains, adding 15,200 jobs (6 percent) over the year. Other metro areas with notable job increases include Northern Virginia (6,900 jobs, 8 percent), Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. (6,100 jobs, 7 percent), Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. (6,000 jobs, 7 percent), and Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla. (5,200 jobs, 9 percent) (AGC, 2024).

Anchorage, Alaska, experienced the largest percentage increase in construction employment, with a gain of 1,900 jobs (18 percent). Other metro areas with significant percentage gains include Fairbanks, Alaska (15 percent, 400 jobs), Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, Hawaii (13 percent, 600 jobs), and Cheyenne, Wyo. (11 percent, 400 jobs) (AGC, 2024).

In contrast, construction employment declined in 63 metro areas and remained unchanged in 51 areas. New York City experienced the largest job loss, with a decrease of 9,700 jobs (-7 percent). Other metro areas with significant job losses include Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (-5,100 jobs, -3 percent), Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. (-4,400 jobs, -5 percent), Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, Calif. (-4,100 jobs, -4 percent), and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Cali. (-3,700 jobs, -3 percent) (AGC, 2024).

The largest percentage decrease occurred in Ithaca, N.Y. (-9 percent, -100 jobs), followed by Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, Md. (-7 percent, -2,300 jobs), Duluth, Minn.-Wis. (-7 percent, -600 jobs), New York City, N.Y. (-7 percent, -9,700 jobs), and 5 percent declines in San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, Calif. (-2,000 jobs), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. (-2,600 jobs), Pueblo, Color. (-200 jobs), Portland-South Portland, Maine (-500 jobs), Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. (-4,400 jobs) (AGC, 2024).

Association officials noted that the federal government invests four times as much annually in urging students to attend college than in preparing them for careers in fields like construction. Additionally, there are limited opportunities for people with construction skills to lawfully enter the country and work in construction. The association urged policy makers to boost funding for construction education and training and allow more people to lawfully enter the country to work in construction (AGC, 2024).

In conclusion, the construction industry in the United States experienced significant changes in employment between December 2023 and December 2024, with some metro areas, such as Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas and Anchorage, Alaska, leading in job gains. However, other metro areas, such as New York City and Ithaca, N.Y., experienced significant job losses. The construction industry continues to face challenges in finding qualified workers, and policy makers are urged to address these issues by investing in construction education and training and facilitating the entry of skilled workers into the country.