Construction employment declines in 232 out of 337 metro areas between December 2009 and 2010

Construction employment declined in 232 out of 337 metropolitan areas between December 2009 and December 2010, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released Jan. 31 by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that construction employment was likely affected by severe winter weather in many states and the winding down of a number of stimulus and other temporary federal construction programs.

Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev., lost more construction jobs (-10,700 jobs, -20 percent) than any other metro areas. Napa, Calif. (-1,000 jobs, -36 percent) lost the highest percentage. Other areas experiencing large declines in construction employment included Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill. (-10,500 jobs, -9 percent); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (-7,900 jobs, -7 percent); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (-5,900 jobs, -10 percent); and Northern Virginia (-5,700 jobs, -9 percent), according to a Jan. 31 AGC of America report.

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