Construction Firms Add 20,000 Jobs in November as Sector's Unemployment Rate Drops to 7.5 Percent, Employment at Five-Year High

Construction industry employment hit a new five-year high in November as the sector added 20,000 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent, the lowest rate for November in seven years, according to an analysis by AGC. Association officials cautioned, however, that the latest figures include signs that demand for public-sector and non-residential construction may be weakening. “November was another good month overall for construction workers and businesses,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Yet the recent declines in public works and nonresidential building construction employment may indicate some underlying weakness in the construction market.” Read full press release here.