Columbia sees 2% gain in construction jobs in last year

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Construction employment grew in 253 of 258 metro areas, or 71%, from June 2018 to June 2019, according to an analysis of federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Columbia saw a 2% increase, or a gain of 400 jobs, during the 12-month period. Construction jobs in the area increased from 17,800 to 18,200.

“Demand for construction remains robust in most metro areas," Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist, said in a news release. “But with record job openings in construction and the lowest overall unemployment rate since 1969, it is likely even more metros would be adding construction workers if there were enough qualified jobseekers available.”

The Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin area paced S.C. metros by adding 1,300 jobs, an increase of 7%. Construction jobs in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach increased by 6%, or 11,000 new jobs. Spartanburg (300 jobs) and Charleston-North Charleston (900 jobs) each saw an increase of 4%.

The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. metro area led the nation with an additional 13,200 construction jobs, an increase of 11% (.pdf). Baton Rouge, La., led 61 areas losing construction jobs with 5,400, or a loss of 9%. The largest percentage loss was 15% in Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J.

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C., lost 2,400 construction jobs, a 4% decrease.