Construction employers added 23,000 jobs in September as employment in the sector hit the highest level since the end of 2008 amid strong demand for construction services, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that average hourly earnings for construction workers increased by 2.8 percent compared to 12 months ago as labor shortages continue to prove challenging for many firms.
“Demand for construction remains quite strong but contractors continue to struggle to find qualified workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “The monthly declines the industry experienced during the summer were likely caused by worker shortages instead of shortages of work for many firms.”
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