Construction employment increased in 171 out of 337 metro from February 2011 and February 2012 while declining in 119. Forty-seven metro areas showed no change, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. AGC reported the 10% increase in private sector demand for construction helped give construction employment a boost. However, public spending for construction dropped 1%, which puts a strain on market expansion and employment.

“As great as it is to see construction jobs being added in so many parts of the country, construction employment remains well below peak levels in virtually every metro area,” said the association’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr. “If public sector spending continues to decline, it will take a lot longer for most areas to see construction employment levels return to where they were in the middle of the last decade.”

Source: Associated General Contractors of America