• Skip to main content

    Analysis

    October 14, 2021

    AGC: September Construction Employment Up, Still Lags Pre-COVID Levels

    Written by David Schollaert

    Construction employment totaled 7,447,000 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, an increase of 22,000 month on month, reports the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in its latest analysis of government data.

    September’s total was 201,000 or 2.6% below the pre-pandemic peak from February 2020. Residential construction employment expanded by 3,400 in September, driving total employment in the subsector 2.7% higher than February 2020’s pre-pandemic total at 80,000. Nonresidential construction employment rose by 18,600, the first increase in six months, to a total of 281,000, still 6.0% below the February 2020 level.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

    Read more from David Schollaert

    Latest in Analysis

    Price on Trade: Milwaukee Framework is a step forward on steel excess capacity

    Members of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) met in Wisconsin last week and unveiled an updated plan to combat market-distorting excess capacity. The Milwaukee Framework adds color to the 2017 “Berlin Principles.” It is also a positive step in the ongoing battle against global steel market distortions. However, the Framework is only a guidepost. It must be implemented correctly to make an impact as new problems loom.