Construction employment increased by 30,000 jobs in October and by 330,000 jobs over the past year, topping 7.3 million for the first time since April 2008, while the industry’s average pay jumped and unemployment decreased to a historic low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Despite the steep gains in employment and pay, a recent survey by the association finds contractors continue to struggle to find qualified workers.
“Job gains remain strong and well balanced between residential and nonresidential construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors are raising pay faster than at any time since the recession to attract workers from other industries as well as new entrants, yet many firms report they continue to have difficulty filling positions.”
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