Average US construction worker wages now close to $35 an hour

Photo: Joe Holland

Production and non-supervisory employees in the US construction sector saw their hourly average earnings continue to rise in November, hitting nearly $35.

Their earnings increased 5.9% last month, accelerating from 5.5% in the previous month, according to analysis of government data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Job gains in the sector slowed in November, while the number of unfilled positions reached record highs in October.

The AGC said the new figures indicated the slowdown in hiring was likely because of workforce shortages instead of a declining need for labour.

Meanwhile, it calculated that construction companies provided a “wage premium” of more than 19% in November, compared to the average hourly earnings for all private-sector production employees.

Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said, “The steep rise in pay for craft and other hourly workers, along with an earlier report of record job openings heading into November, indicate that contractors are still struggling to find enough skilled workers.

“The slowdown in employment is a sign of how tight the job market is, not an indication that construction demand is lagging.”