U.S. construction wages & employment make solid gains; employers struggle to find skilled workers

American construction workers’ average wage has risen above $30 per hour for the first time, and the numbers employed have hit nearly 7.3 million, a level not seen since before the financial crisis, official statistics show. [...] “However, the pool of unemployed workers with construction experience has nearly evaporated, pushing up contractors’ costs and adding to project completion times.”

While positive economic indicators have had the U.S. construction sector thriving for a prolonged period now, AEC employers are increasingly feeling the pinch when it comes to finding qualified workers. "The tightening labour market poses a problem for companies looking to expand their headcount," reports Global Construction Review. "In a recent AGC–Autodesk Workforce survey, 76% of respondents said their firms planned to hire more craft workers in the next year. However, 80% said they were having trouble filling hourly positions, and that the difficulty has risen in the past year."

Looking for a new job in architecture or hoping to fill a vacant position in your company? Check out the latest listings on Archinect's job board or take a look at our recent Curated Job Picks and Employers of the Day.

Alexander Walter via Archinect - News http://bit.ly/2yLnNes