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Is Construction Hiring Meeting Predictions?

By Ashley Rowe on April 20, 2013 in Construction.

Construction jobs were considered one of the best occupations of 2013 by US News. BLS states that job growth in construction picked up last fall and since then added 169,000 jobs.  According to ADP, recent job gains averaged 35,000 per month until March, when construction employment growth slowed. Will construction hiring pick up again and continue to be one of the best occupations this year? We reviewed hiring trends to see what demand looked like.

Although the number of new jobs added in March may have declined, hiring remained strong. March represented a 4-year high in demand with just under 51,000 job ads. This is a 12% increase since we last reported on construction job ad volume in December. When comparing March 2013 to March 2012, demand rose 26% in the past year.

Construction Hiring Demand – 4 Year Hiring Trend

Construction Hiring Demand

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

Project Manager is the most in-demand job title in the construction sector. Driver, which previously held that position, dropped to #4. Most of the other positions below just switched places, except for one job title that is new to the list, Truck Driver.

Most Commonly Advertised Construction Job Titles

  1. Project Manager
  2. Administrative Assistant
  3. Sales Representative
  4. Driver
  5. Carpenter
  6. Laborer
  7. HVAC Service Technician
  8. Sales Associate
  9. Truck Driver
  10. Sales

Most of these jobs are required in new single-family housing construction; plumbing heating and air-conditioning contractors; and electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors industries. Currently, Houston (TX) has the greatest demand for construction jobs followed by New York (NY), Washington (DC), and Los Angeles (CA). Orlando (FL) and Boston (MA) are among the locations with the largest increase in demand over the past year.

Are you competing for any of these job titles? Try a free trial of WANTED Analytics to see what hiring conditions look like in your area.

Already an Analytics user? Log in here. We've added the industry for you. Just add your occupation, location and any other requirements.

Best Jobs of 2013: Construction Occupations

By Ashley Rowe on February 8, 2013 in Construction.

Our weekly coverage of hiring demand for the US News' Best Jobs of 2013 continues with the best construction jobs. Below is a summary of hiring demand for the top 5 construction occupations.

Hiring Demand for Construction Jobs

Hiring Demand Chart for Construction Jobs

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

1. Cost Estimator

Over the past 90 days, 9,400 job ads appeared online for Cost Estimators, representing a 15% year-over-year increase. On average, Recruiters are likely to experience favorable recruiting conditions. This occupation scores an 8 on our Hiring Scale (99 denotes hardest-to-fill.) Anchorage, AK presents the most difficult recruiting conditions, scoring a 74. Anchorage's current hiring demand exceeds what the local qualified candidate pool can support.

Hiring Scale for Cost Estimators

Hiring Scale for Cost Estimators

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

2. Construction Manager

Hiring for Construction Managers had the highest levels of demand of these 5 positions during 2012, with October marking a four-year high. About 17,000 job ads were posted online over the past 90 days, which is 21% higher than the same 90-day period last year. Nationwide, recruiting for Construction Managers is likely to be moderately favorable, scoring a 25. To further improve conditions, Recruiters can look to source candidates in New York (NY), Houston (TX), or Dallas (TX), which are some of the cities with the best recruiting conditions. These cities score a 5 on our Hiring Scale.

Hiring Scale for Construction Managers

Hiring Scale for Construction Managers

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

3. Plumber

Hiring for Plumbers also reached an all-time high in October 2012. During the last 90 days, there were 16,000 job listings online, a 40% year-over-year increase when compared to the same 90-day period in 2012. The average Hiring Scale score for Plumbers is 12. Washington, DC is among the cities with the best conditions, scoring a 5. On the other hand, Durham, NC presents the most difficult recruiting environment, scoring a 76.

Hiring Scale for Plumbers

Hiring Scale for Plumbers

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

4. Glazier

Like most of the other occupations, Glaziers experienced its highest job ad volume during 2012. Hiring demand over the last 90 days was 26% higher than in 2012. Recruiters are likely to find average recruiting conditions to be favorable, scoring a 12. Conditions are likely to be even less difficult in Houston (TX), which scores a 6.

Hiring Scale for Glaziers

Hiring Scale for Glaziers

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

5. Cement Mason and Concrete Finishers

It appears that demand for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers peaks annually around May and June. Over the past 90 days, about 2,100 job ads were posted online, representing an 18% year-over-year increase. When comparing job ad volume in 2012 compared to 2011, overall hiring demand increased 24%. Average recruiting conditions for this occupation are likely to be favorable. Miami (FL) and Houston (TX) have the most favorable conditions, both scoring a 5 on our Hiring Scale.

Hiring Scale for Cement Mason and Concrete Finishers

Hiring Scale for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

Don't miss the last category of the Best Jobs of 2013. Next week we will highlight the last category on their list, creative occupations. To see what we've covered so far, read Best Jobs of 2013: Healthcare, Business, Social Service, and Technology.

If you would like to see what your job req would score on our Hiring Scale, sign up for a free trial of WANTED Analytics.

Analytics users, if you would like to look up this information, log in, add the occupation, location, and any other requirements, then click 'Generate Report' at the top of the screen.

Building on 2012's Construction Hiring Demand

By Ashley Rowe on December 27, 2012 in Construction.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that jobs in the construction industry decreased by 20,000 in November. Does this decrease represent a seasonal decline, or is it indicative of a sluggish economic recovery? We examined construction hiring trends to gain some insight.

The volume of construction industry job ads posted online throughout 2012 was higher than experienced during previous years. As of November 2012, hiring demand increased 30% over the same time last year. We noticed that hiring demand begins to decline each November and increases again in January. Mild weather could have been responsible for the quick growth seen in 2012. Will hiring in January 2013 outpace demand seen in January 2012?

Hiring Demand Chart for Construction Jobs

Hiring Chart for Construction Jobs

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

Since we last covered construction hiring demand in September, the most advertised job title was replaced. Driver climbed to the top of the list by moving up 3 spaces. Plumber and Estimator dropped off the list and were replaced with Sales and Sales Associate. Sales-related positions appear in 3 spots on the list.

Most Commonly Advertised Job Titles in the Construction Industry

  1. Driver
  2. Project Manager
  3. Sales Representative
  4. Administrative Assistant
  5. Electrician
  6. Carpenter
  7. HVAC Service Technician
  8. Laborer
  9. Sales
  10. Sales Associate

Our Hiring Scale still indicates that average recruiting conditions for this industry are likely to be favorable throughout the US. Construction jobs score a 28 on our scale. Hiring scores range form 1 – 99, with 1 denoting easy-to-fill and 99 as difficult-to-fill.

Hiring Scale for Construction Jobs

Hiring Demand for Construction Jobs

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

Does the hiring difficulty change for an in-demand position, like Drivers? For Drivers in the construction industry, the difficulty only increases by 5 points.

Hiring Scale for Drivers in Construction

Hiring Demand for Drivers in Construction Jobs

SOURCE: WANTED Analytics

The metropolitan areas that present the least difficult recruiting conditions include Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux (LA) and Evansville (IN). These areas score a 6 and their job ads are posted online for about a week less than the rest of the country.

For a full talent sourcing report of construction jobs in your area, sign up for a free trial of WANTED Analytics™.

Analytics users, to view this information, log in, select "Construction" as the industry, enter your occupation, and click "Generate Report."

Hiring in Construction Getting Built Up

By Abby Lombardi on September 26, 2012 in Construction.

The construction sector has struggled since the recession began, but with a warmer than average winter, hiring in 2012 started strong and continues to hold at higher levels. In August, there were more than 32,000  jobs available in the construction industry.

Hiring Demand in the Construction Industry – 4 Year Hiring Trend

Hiring Demand in the Construction Industry

Source: WANTED Analytics

The cities that currently have the most job ads in the construction industry are Houston, Washington (DC), Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Heat Map of Online Job Ad Volume by Metropolitan Area

heat map - job volume by metro area

Source: WANTED Analytics

Below are the 10 most commonly advertised job titles in the construction industry. Among the most in-demand fields are construction and extraction workers; management occupations; installation, maintenance or repair positions; and architecture and engineering.

  1. Project Manager
  2. Administrative Assistant
  3. Sales Representative
  4. Driver
  5. Electrician
  6. Carpenter
  7. HVAC Service Technician
  8. Laborer
  9. Plumber
  10. Estimator

If hiring is increasing, will it be more difficult to fill open positions? Despite this increasing demand, our Hiring Scale shows that overall recruiting conditions for construction jobs will be favorable on average across the US. The average duration of an online job ad is 37 days – or just over 5 weeks.

Hiring Scale for the Construction Industry

Hiring Scale for the Construction Industry

Source: WANTED Analytics

What construction jobs are in demand in your area? Sign up for a free trial of WANTED Analytics for demand trends, average salary information, see your competition for talent, and find hidden candidates with the skills you require!

Construction and Real Estate See Revenue Growth – Does Employment Too?

By Ashley Rowe on July 8, 2012 in Construction, Hiring Demand Indicators, Real Estate.

Intuit, recently released Small Business Employment and Revenue Indexes. This report shows that small business revenue declined in the following industries:

1. Healthcare and Social Assistance
2. Scientific and Technical Services
3. Retail Trade
4. Accommodation and Food Services

The only industries to post increased revenue were real estate and construction.

Considering that real estate and construction were the only sectors with gains, we looked at job postings in these areas to see if small business revenue growth matches employment growth across these sectors.

As of May 2012, job ads for construction occupations were up 21% and at its highest in 4 years. Dallas, TX was the metro area that showed the most demand.

In May, real estate saw its highest amount of job ads since the recession: 71% increase since January 2009. The increase in revenue for small businesses and the increase in job ads for all sized businesses in this sector indicate that this is an area to watch. This also may indicate that if construction and real estate positions are in demand, more people are buying homes, businesses are expanding, businesses are spending more and the economy is recovering.

Download the WANTED Analytics Whitepaper 10 Ways to Take Advantage of the Hiring Boom to learn how you can take advantage of the road to recovery to fill your next position.

Is Hiring in the Construction Industry Bouncing Back?

By Abby Lombardi on June 22, 2012 in Construction.

Employment in the construction industry has been growing slowly since the recession began. With a warmer than average winter across much of the US, hiring in this sector has been strong. In May, there were more than 32,000 job ads posted online. This represents a 22% increase compared to last year. Will the construction industry maintain this growing hiring demand in the summer months?

Hiring Demand in the Construction Industry – 4 Year Hiring Trend

hiring demand in construction

Source: WANTED Analytics

The 10 cities with the most online job ads in construction are listed below. Washington, DC saw the highest number of job ads with 1,200 and growing 7% versus May 2011. However, it was San Francisco that grew the most of these 10 cities. Employers here placed 58% more job ads in May 2012 than they did in 2011. Of the below 10 metro areas, only Chicago experienced a decline.

Metro Areas with Highest Volume of Construction Job Ads – May 2012 vs. May 2011

10 cities with most job ads in construction

Source: WANTED Analytics

The most demanded occupation category within the construction industry during May was First-line Managers of Construction Workers. Other in-demand fields were Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers, Truck Drivers, Construction Managers, and Industrial Engineers. All 5 of these occupations saw year-over-year growth when compared to the same time period in 2011. Below are the 10 jobs titles that are most commonly advertised online in the construction industry.

  1. Project Manager
  2. Administrative Assistant
  3. Sales Representative
  4. Electrician
  5. Driver
  6. Carpenter
  7. HVAC Service Technician
  8. Laborer
  9. Sales Associate
  10. Plumber

What construction jobs are in demand in your area? Sign up for a free trial of WANTED Analytics for demand trends, average salary information, see your competition for talent, and find hidden candidates with the skills you require!

Home Improvement Store Sales Increase – Has Construction Hiring Benefited?

By Abby Lombardi on February 27, 2012 in Construction.

Many home improvement stores reported increased sales over the past few months, which many attribute to an unseasonably warm winter across most of the US. We wanted to take a look at hiring in the construction industry to see if it has also increased with more home renovation and building projects being started.

In January, a total of 11,000 job ads were posted online by Recruiters in the construction industry. This represents a 42% increase compared to January 2011 and the highest level of hiring since September 2008. If this warm weather continues, will hiring in this sector continue also?

Hiring Demand in Construction Industry – 4 Year Hiring Trend

Hiring Demand in the Construction Industry

The most demanded occupation within the construction industry during January was First-line Managers of Construction Workers. More than 480 jobs were posted online for this position, a 60% increase compared to January 2012. Other highly demanded occupations were Truck Drivers, Mechanic and Repairer Managers, General Maintenance and Repair Workers, and Construction Managers. Of these 5 occupations, 4 experienced year-over-year increases in hiring demand. Only Truck Drivers saw a decline compared to the same time period in 2011.

Construction Jobs with Most Hiring Demand – January 2012 vs. January 2011

Most Demanded Jobs in the Construction Industry

Recruiting varies widely across the US. While demand for construction workers has declined in New York (New York) and Washington (DC), many areas – like Phoenix (Arizona) and San Francisco (California) – are experiencing triple-digit year-over-year growth. Despite increased hiring, these jobs will likely remain fairly easy-to-fill. There is a large talent pool to source candidates in the US, contributing to these easier conditions. Even in Phoenix, where hiring is growing at one of the fastest rates, Recruiters are likely to spend shorter periods of time filling these jobs. In Phoenix, the average duration of a job posting for a Construction Worker is 33 days – or just less than 5 weeks.

Hiring Scale for Construction Workers – Phoenix, AZ vs. Nationally

Hiring Scale for Construction Workers in Phoenix

Are you recruiting candidates for job openings in the construction industry? Or, are you looking for a job in construction? Try our free, online Hiring Scale to find out how hard to fill or find a job is, average salary ranges in your area, and what companies are currently hiring!

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