March Construction Employment Numbers Surpass Pre-Pandemic Peak Levels in 32 States, but Record High Job Openings Remain

Construction employment exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 32 states in March, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the government should support more career opportunities to enable people to work in the industry.

“Contractors have been adding workers as fast as they can find them,” says Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But there just aren’t enough qualified workers available in many states, as shown by the record number of construction job openings in February."