Nonresidential Construction Adds Healthy 19,000 Jobs in April
The U.S. construction sector added 9,000 net jobs in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis. Nonresidential construction led the gains, contributing 19,000 new positions across specialty trade, building, and heavy‑civil engineering subcategories. Year‑over‑year employment rose by 50,000 jobs, a 0.6% increase. The data underscores a broadening labor market within commercial and infrastructure construction.
Building the Workforce Together: What It Really Takes to Get Someone Job-Ready
Construction firms in Houston face a chronic shortage of skilled craft workers, not due to lack of interest but misalignment between job seekers and employer expectations. The Construction Career Collaborative (C3) identified that employers value basic traits—attendance, punctuality, coachability, and...
Play, Gather, Thrive: Cities Double Down on Recreation Investments
Municipal leaders across the United States are accelerating spending on recreation infrastructure, treating parks, aquatic centers, and multi‑use facilities as essential public assets. Projects highlighted include Santa Monica’s $40 million Memorial Park redevelopment, Naperville’s $119.75 million indoor activity center, Fayetteville’s $61.9 million aquatic hub, Casa Grande’s...
AGC's Data DIGest: April 27-May 1, 2026
The Associated General Contractors’ (AGC) latest data shows construction employment rose in 52% of U.S. metros year‑over‑year, with Houston adding 11,200 jobs while New York City shed 6,600. Housing starts rebounded in March, climbing 10.8% month‑over‑month and nearly 9% year‑over‑year,...
AGC's Data DIGest: April 20-24, 2026
Seasonally adjusted construction employment shifted in April 2026, with gains in 22 states and losses in 27, led by Florida adding 1,100 jobs and New Jersey shedding 5,900. Year‑over‑year, Texas posted the largest job increase (24,000) while California recorded the...
Redevelopment Projects Still in Planning Phases Create Industry Opportunities Nationwide
U.S. cities are moving forward with large‑scale redevelopment plans that blend mixed‑use districts, public‑private partnerships, and destination‑driven assets. Projects range from Omaha’s $400 million stadium‑centered district to Boston’s $550 million housing‑focused revitalization, each still in early planning stages. The initiatives aim to...
AGC's Data DIGest: April 6-10, 2026
Input prices for new non‑residential construction rose 1.7% in March and 4.4% year‑over‑year, driven by a 37.8% monthly jump in diesel‑fuel PPI and sharp metal price gains. Diesel fuel surged 51.2% y/y, while aluminum, copper and steel saw year‑over‑year increases...
ABC: Construction Employment Rebounds by 26,000 in March
Construction employment rose by 26,000 jobs in March, marking a 0.7% year‑over‑year increase and bringing total industry growth to 57,000 positions since last year. Nonresidential construction led the gains with 12,200 new jobs across building, specialty trade, and heavy‑civil categories....
Survey: Construction Craft Professions Continue to Offer Strong Salaries
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) released a survey detailing average annual salaries for nearly 40 construction craft professions. More than three‑quarters of the trades surveyed report base salaries exceeding $65,000, with several specialties topping $100,000. The...
AGC's Data DIGest: March 30-April 3, 2026
Construction employment in March 2026 reached 8.33 million, up 0.7 % year‑over‑year, driven by a 1.7 % rise in non‑residential jobs while residential employment fell 0.9 %. Average hourly earnings for production workers jumped 5 % to $38.62, outpacing the broader private sector. Job openings...
Transit-Oriented Development Projects Continue to Reshape American Cities
Transit‑oriented development (TOD) is gaining momentum as federal, state and local funds back mixed‑use projects in cities from Waterbury, Connecticut to Honolulu, Hawaii. Investments range from $22.7 million for a freight‑street corridor in Waterbury to $200 million at Washington’s Takoma Metro station...
DeWalt Unveils New Power Controller
DeWalt introduced the DCBPC1615, a 15 AMP Power Controller featuring six AC outlets that can charge up to 24 batteries in under five hours. The unit intelligently balances load to prevent breaker trips, keeping jobsite tools powered continuously. It is wall‑mountable...
AGC's Data DIGest: March 23-27, 2026
The Middle East war is driving a 43 % surge in diesel prices and tightening supplies of oil, fuel, and petrochemicals, which in turn raises construction material costs and hampers investment planning. Construction spending held at $2.19 trillion in January, with private...
Cities Bet Big on Sports Tourism and Community Recreation
American cities are committing billions to new or upgraded sports facilities, integrating them into mixed‑use districts that aim to attract visitors year‑round. Projects range from a $30 million indoor complex in Frankenmuth, Michigan, to a potential $250 million revitalization of Coral Springs,...