Construction employment increased in 272 (76 percent) out of 358 metro areas between June 2017 and June 2018, declined in 44 (12 percent) and was unchanged in 42, according to a new analysis of federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that, for now at least, the growing economy and strong demand for construction services appear to be offsetting cost increases caused by significant labor shortages and newly-imposed trade tariffs. 
AGCA noted that more metro areas added construction jobs in the past year than in any 12-month period since February 2015. The economist added that 64 metro areas set new construction employment highs for June, including San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., where the previous high for June was set in 2001, and Midland, Texas, which exceeded its previous June peak by 20 percent.
The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas metro area added the most construction jobs during the past year (19,300 jobs, 9 percent), followed by Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (13,100 jobs, 11 percent); Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (12,200 jobs, 9 percent); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. (8,400 jobs, 7 percent) and New York City (8,300 jobs, 5 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in Merced, Calif. (700 jobs, 28 percent), followed by Midland, Texas (6,700 jobs, 24 percent); Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio (19 percent, 300 jobs); New Bedford, Mass. (18 percent, 500 jobs) and Leominster-Gardner, Mass. (18 percent, 400 jobs).
The largest job losses from June 2017 to June 2018 were in Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, N.J. (-3,400 jobs, -8 percent), followed by Newark, N.J.-Pa. (-2,800 jobs, -6 percent); Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, Tenn. (-2,300 jobs, -5 percent); Columbia, S.C. (-2,100 jobs, -10 percent) and St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. (-1,800 jobs, -3 percent). The largest percentage decreases—10 percent each—occurred in Columbia, S.C., and Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. (-100 jobs), followed by Middlesex-Monmouth-Ocean, N.J.; Kokomo, Ind. (-8 percent, -100 jobs); and Bloomsburg-Berwick, Pa. (-8 percent, -100 jobs).
Association officials said strong economic growth, buoyed in part by lower tax rates and regulatory reforms, were helping drive demand for new construction projects in most parts of the country. Economic growth also appears to be offsetting the impacts of labor shortages and rising materials prices caused by trade tariffs for many construction firms, they added. But they cautioned that the benefits could be short-lived if materials costs continue to increase and labor becomes even more scarce.