Construction employment increased in 256 out of 358 metro areas between April 2017 and April 2018, declined in 63 and was unchanged in 39, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released May 30 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that the data showed a continuation of strong labor demand amid shortages of qualified workers.

“Industry demand is still showing strength, as construction employment reached a new high in 54 metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “However, despite these signs, further growth in the industry may increasingly be stymied by a lack of qualified workers.”

Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas added the most construction jobs during the past year (12,400 jobs, 9 percent), followed by Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas (12,200 jobs, 6 percent); Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (11,000 jobs, 10 percent); Midland, Texas (8,000 jobs, 31 percent) and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada (7,700 jobs, 13 percent). The largest percentage gains occurred in the Midland, Texas metro area, followed by Merced, Calif. (29 percent, 700 jobs); New Bedford, Mass. (20 percent, 500 jobs); Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J. (19 percent, 1,000 jobs) and Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio (19 percent, 300 jobs).

The largest job losses from April 2017 to April 2018 were in St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. (minus 3,100 jobs, minus 5 percent), followed by Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, N.J. (minus 2,900 jobs, minus 7 percent); Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County, Penn. (minus 2,800 jobs, minus 5 percent); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wis. (minus 2,400 jobs, minus 3 percent) and Columbia, S.C. (minus 2,200 jobs, minus 11 percent). The largest percentage decreases for the year were in Bloomington, Ill. (minus 16 percent, minus 500 jobs), followed by Bismarck, N.D. (minus 15 percent, minus 800 jobs), Auburn-Opelika, Ala. (minus 14 percent, minus 400 jobs); Battle Creek, Mich. (minus 12 percent, minus 200 jobs); and Columbia, S.C.

Association officials said that despite these widespread employment increases, many contractors report difficulty in finding qualified workers. With the national unemployment rate at a 17-year low and many metro unemployment rates at new record lows for April, finding workers is not expected to get easier in the near future. They added that education and training initiatives are the best way to increase the pool of skilled workers, creating a new generation of carpenters, electricians, and others, while giving Americans access to highly rewarding work.

“The good news is that the strong economy is driving demand for many types of construction projects,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “All that economic activity means that there are fewer, qualified, workers available for construction firms to hire to keep pace with demand.”