NYC posts slight gain in construction jobs

New York City posted a slight annual gain in construction employment in May, according to the Associated General Contractors of America trade organization. The city added 2,000 more jobs last month than during the same period in 2012, which amounts to a 2 percent increase.

However, New York City’s gain pales in comparison to that of Pascagoula, Miss., which added the highest percentage in jobs year-over-year in May: 47 percent. In sum, construction employment grew in 185 out of 339 U.S. metropolitan areas surveyed, declined in 115 and remained stagnant in 39.

“It appears that the months-long growth in private sector demand for a host of residential and non-residential construction work is finally translating into significant numbers of new construction jobs in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Even though some metro areas will continue to lose construction jobs, sector employment is likely to continue expanding in most parts of the country for the immediate future.”

Statewide, New York lost 1,800 construction jobs between April and May — the most recent AGC tally available — as previously reported. This amounts to a 0.6 percent decline.

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. posted the largest year-over-year job losses: 3,100 fewer jobs in May 2013 — a 5 percent slip. —Zachary Kussin