Construction Industry Adds 11,000 Jobs in September but Struggles to Fill Openings
Employment dips at nonresidential firms, as industry’s 3.8 percent unemployment rate and large number of job openings point to difficulty finding qualified workers in tight job market
The construction industry added 11,000 jobs in September as unemployment rates for the sector remained at historically low levels, prompting contractors to raise pay faster than for other jobs, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released Oct. 6. Association officials noted that the number of people working on nonresidential construction projects declined for the month as firms struggle to find enough workers to hire amid tight labor conditions.
“Construction firms have plenty of projects, but a dip in nonresidential employment [in September] shows how hard it has been to find enough skilled workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Job openings remain stubbornly high, even though the industry has been raising hourly pay at an elevated rate.”