Despite bouts of blistering cold temperatures and stormy weather events in multiple areas, Bureau of Labor Statistics data examined by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) shows the construction industry added 11,000 new jobs in January 2024, raising the total number of employed to 8,137,000. This was a modest, but still positive, increase of 0.1% of the already upwardly revised December jobs numbers, which were at near-record levels.
Residential construction firms and specialty trade contractors added 2,700 jobs in January and 60,100 since January 2023 (an increase of 1.8%), while nonresidential construction firms added 7,600 jobs in January and 155,100 (an increase of 3.3%) over the past year.
According to Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist, “There is still lots of demand for workers” and that with construction spending jumping, “Wages rose faster than in other sectors.”
Average hourly earnings rose to $35.21 an hour, a 5.3% increase.
In terms of electrical construction specifically, the BLS reported in January that “Employment of electricians is expected to grow from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.”
All other occupations are projected to grow in employment at a rate of 3%, while electricians are projected at 6%—double the rate, which translates to an average of 72,500 openings a year over the next decade.
The construction and electrical industries appear to be on track for robust expansion and growth, yet AGC officials point out that despite opportunities and high wages, prospective job and career seekers are overlooking the construction field even though an advanced degree isn’t needed.
“Considering most construction positions don’t require a college degree, construction careers offer an almost certain path to economic security,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC CEO.
It’s thought that a lack of training programs and classes at the high school level may be part of the reason for the apparent lack of interest. Association leaders are calling on federal officials to improve funding for in-school training programs in hopes of improving career opportunities while bolstering the fields.
