Construction employers added 39,000 jobs in January and 308,000 over the past year, reaching the highest employment total since February 2009, as the sector's unemployment rate fell to 9.8 percent, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Association officials said the job gains come as most construction firms report plans to expand headcount this year, but worry about growing shortages of qualified workers.

Construction employers added 12,000 jobs in October and the sector's unemployment rate fell to 6.4 percent, the lowest rate for October since 2006, according to an analysis released today by AGC of America. Association officials said the construction employment gains, along with rising wages and weekly hours, are consistent with survey results showing more firms having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to fill available positions.

Construction employers added 6,000 workers to payrolls in June as the industry’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.2 percent, its lowest June level in six years, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America.  Association officials cautioned, however, that recent employment gains could be undermined when the federal government begins scaling back transportation investments in August.

Construction employment expanded in 192 metro areas, declined in 84 and was stagnant in 63 between December 2012 and December 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC of America. Association officials said that even with so many metro areas adding jobs for the year, only 20 metro areas topped previous construction employment peaks for the month.

Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 74 and was stagnant in 50 between October 2012 and October 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by AGC.  Association officials added that despite the widespread jobs gains, construction employment remains below peak levels in 315 metro areas.

Construction employment increased in 146 out of 337 metropolitan areas between August 2010 and August 2011, declined in 145 and stayed level in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC. Association officials noted that the local employment data remains relatively split as private sector demand increased and public sector activity declined more rapidly during the past year.

The chief executive officer of AGC, Stephen Sandherr, testified at a public hearing hosted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In his testimony, Sandherr detailed AGC’s opposition to 3 percent government withholding, outlining the unfair burden it places on contractors. Sandherr proceeded to request that the IRS delay the enforcement of the withholding and recommended that the IRS provide additional guidance to assist pass-through and joint venture taxpayers comply with 3 percent government withholding.

Construction employment increased in 136 out of 337 metropolitan areas between July 2010 and July 2011, declined in 148 and stayed level in 53, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC. Association officials noted that the local employment data remains mostly stagnant amid declines in publicly-funded construction activity.

The number of construction fatalities declined by nearly 10 percent between 2009 and 2010 and by almost 40 percent during the past five years, according to an analysis of new federal data prepared by AGC. 

According to an analysis by AGC of state employment data released by the Labor Department, construction employment increased in 26 states between July 2010 and July 2011 and during the past month.