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Nov 01, 2018
Labor shortages boost construction wage growth in the US
Wages in the construction industry will continue to move higher, with lower-skilled workers experiencing the strongest growth. Minimum wage increases on both coasts are helping to increase the floor for unskilled wages. Average construction wages will grow 3.2% in 2018, compared with 2.0% for skilled workers. Slowing nonresidential fixed investment combined with an influx of less-productive workers will keep skilled wages subdued in 2018. However, expect stronger demand in nonresidential spending in 2019 and 2020 to fuel an acceleration in skilled wages.
Pacific Northwest
Strong economic growth, minimum wage increases, and
tightening labor markets support construction activity.
- Local labor-market conditions: Labor markets have tightened in the Pacific Northwest, with unemployment expected to average 4.6% in 2018, down from 4.8% in 2017. Minimum wage increases in Portland and Washington have also raised the floor for low-skilled workers
- Construction spending outlook: Construction activity is expected to peak in 2018 thanks to an 8.3% surge in real infrastructure spending. Residential spending and nonresidential spending improved in the 3% range in 2018, but will begin moving lower in 2019 and beyond
- Construction employment growth: Construction employment in the region has been robust, growing an average of nearly 7.0% per year over the past five years. Employment growth will slow from 6.0% in 2018 to 3.6% in 2019 and 2020. Recruiting workers will be a challenge for the region, particularly in Oregon, where more than 30% of the state is over the age of 55
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wage growth will average 3.6% between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest wage growth at 4.2% over this period, followed by electricians (4.1%), boilermakers (3.7%), and pipefitters (2.4%).
West North Central
Skilled wage growth will average 3.6% annually between
2018 and 2020. Few available workers due to low population density
will keep labor markets tight in the region.
- Local labor-market conditions: The West North Central has some of the tightest labor markets because of low population density and aging demographics. The unemployment rate in this region averaged 3.4% in 2017 and will fall to 3.1% in 2018, the lowest regional unemployment rate in the country.
- Construction spending outlook: A surge in infrastructure spending in 2019 will be offset by weakness in the residential and nonresidential sectors. Real construction spending will average flat growth through 2020.
- Construction employment growth: Construction employment was flat in 2018 but will resume growth in the 3% range in 2019 through 2020, adding 10,000 workers per year.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 3.6% growth between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest wage growth at 4.2%, followed by electricians (4.0%), pipefitters (3.1%), and boilermakers (3.0%).
Mountain
Skilled wage growth in the Mountain region will average
3.4% annually between 2018 and 2020. Low unemployment will
contribute to competition for construction workers despite
construction activity peaking in 2018.
- Local labor-market conditions: Labor markets in the Mountain region are among the tightest in the United States, with the unemployment rate expected to average a low of 3.2% in 2018. A rebound in oil prices will increase demand for skilled workers in an already tight labor market.
- Construction spending outlook: Post-recovery construction spending will peak in 2018 thanks to strong growth in residential and infrastructure spending. We expect to see a correction in housing spending as increasing interest rates and construction costs weigh on new spending. Nonresidential and infrastructure spending will gradually move lower through 2020.
- Construction employment outlook: Improving activity in oil and gas will help boost employment growth through 2020, more than offsetting declines in commercial and industrial construction sectors. The region will add an average of 15,000 construction workers per year through 2020.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 3.4% growth between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest wage growth at 3.9%, followed by electricians (3.6%), boilermakers (3.1%), and pipefitters (2.9%).
New England
Skilled wages in New England will average 3.3% annual
growth between 2018 and 2020 as the residential and infrastructure
sectors continue to see growth.
- Local labor-market conditions: Labor markets in New England are tight across the board. New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts have the tightest labor markets with an unemployment rate well below the national average, while unemployment in Connecticut and Rhode Island is closer to 4.0%. Labor markets in New England are aging quickly; 15% of New Hampshire's population will reach retirement age over the next 10 years.
- Construction spending outlook: The construction spending outlook in New England has been revised upward, led by improvements in residential spending. Expect residential activity to rebound in 2019 and remain in positive territory through 2020 before drifting lower. Infrastructure will also bring temporary pressure to the construction sector with positive growth in 2018 and 2019.
- Construction employment outlook: Construction employment in New England will jump 5.4% in 2018, but will moderate to 3.4% growth through 2020 with the sector adding 13,000 construction workers per year through 2020.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 3.3% annual growth between 2018 and 2020. Electricians will experience the strongest annual wage growth of 3.5% followed by welders (3.4%), boilermakers (3.2%), and pipefitters (3.0%).
Gulf Coast
Skilled wages stalled in 2018 but are expected to increase
through 2020 as higher oil prices boost activity in the oil and gas
sector.
- Local labor-market conditions: The regional unemployment rate will average 4.2% in 2018, slightly higher than the national average. Labor markets are tightest in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas where unemployment rates are slightly lower than the national average. Unemployment in Louisiana and New Mexico will average closer to 5%.
- Construction spending outlook: Construction spending will accelerate in 2018 and 2019 as spending in the residential sector continues to accelerate, averaging 3.6% annual growth through 2020. Higher oil prices will also stimulate demand for skilled workers, as infrastructure spending boosted by reconstruction and pipeline spending will outpace the national average, growing 4.4% per year over the same period.
- Construction employment growth: Construction employment growth will slow from 5.0% growth in 2018 to 3.8% growth by 2020, the third fastest pace in the country. The region will add 47,000 construction jobs per year through 2020, boosted by the oil and gas sector, strong regional growth, and continued reconstruction following Hurricane Harvey, which hit in 2017.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wage growth will average 3.3% between 2018 and 2020. Electricians will experience the fastest pace of growth at 4.4% over the next three years, followed by pipefitters (3.0%), welders (2.9%), and boilermakers (2.8%).
Middle Atlantic
Skilled wage growth in the Middle Atlantic will average
3.3% growth annually between 2018 and 2020. Wages for most
occupations stalled in 2018, but welder wages grew 5.2%. Looking
forward, expect to see wage growth in the 3-4% range.
- Local labor-market conditions: Labor markets in the Middle Atlantic continue to have some slack, with unemployment remaining around 5% in the District of Columbia and West Virginia. Virginia stands out as having the tightest labor market with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. An increase in Maryland's minimum wage will add some pressure to low-skilled worker wages in the state.
- Construction spending outlook: The infrastructure sector will lead the region in growth over the next three years, expanding by 3.1% annually through 2021. Residential spending is expected to accelerate through 2020 after a slight correction in 2018, while nonresidential spending growth will remain relatively flat.
- Construction employment outlook: Construction employment growth in the Middle Atlantic will trail behind most of the country, averaging 2.8% growth through 2020. The region will add 19,000 construction workers per year over the next three years.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 3.3% growth between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest average growth at 4.2%, followed by boilermakers and pipefitters (3.0%), and electricians (2.9%).
West Coast
Skilled wage growth on the West Coast will average 3.3%
annually between 2018 and 2020. The West Coast will lead the
country on construction spending activity, but spending levels
remain 10% lower than the pre-recession average.
- Local labor-market conditions: Labor-market conditions on the West Coast are slowly tightening, but the unemployment rate remains elevated compared with the national average. Labor markets in Arizona and Nevada still have considerable slack, with the unemployment rate averaging 4.6%. California is only slightly better with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Minimum wage increases in California and Arizona will add pressure to low-skilled worker wages.
- Construction spending outlook: Spending remains robust across the residential, nonresidential, and infrastructure sectors. Residential will continue to experience the strongest pace of spending growth, averaging 6.9% annually through 2020 followed by 5.5% in infrastructure and 2.3% in nonresidential structures.
- Construction employment outlook: The construction industry is experiencing the fastest employment growth in this region, outpacing the rest of the United States. Construction employment will grow an average of 5% per year through 2020, with the industry adding an average of 56,000 construction workers per year.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wage gains will average 3.3% between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest wage growth of 4.1%, followed by electricians (3.2%), pipefitters (3.0%), and boilermakers (2.7%). Unskilled workers will also face strong wage pressure due to rising minimum wages in the region. California is currently targeting a minimum wage of $15/hour by 2022.
Southeast
Skilled wage growth in the Southeast will average 3.2%
growth annually between 2018 and 2020. Reconstruction around the
Gulf Coast is supporting wages for electricians and welders.
- Local labor-market conditions: The unemployment rate remains elevated in Mississippi at 4.7%. The rest of the region, however, is moving closer to the national average, with the unemployment rate falling below 4.0% in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
- Construction spending outlook: Residential construction spending was already receiving a boost from reconstruction efforts from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Additional reconstruction will be necessary following hurricanes Florence (South Carolina) and Michael (Florida), which occurred after our third quarter 2018 forecast was released.
- Construction employment outlook: Construction employment will average 4.1% annual growth between 2018 and 2020, with the region adding an average of 56,000 construction workers per year over the same period.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 3.2% growth between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest average growth at 3.9%, followed by electricians (3.8%), pipefitters (2.8%), and boilermakers (2.4%). Welder wage growth surged in 2018 after relatively flat growth in 2016 and 2017.
Midwest
Skilled wage growth in the Midwest will average 3.0%
annually between 2018 and 2020. A resurgence in manufacturing
activity will support activity in infrastructure and residential
construction.
- Local labor-market conditions: Labor-market tightness varies across the Midwest, but a resurgence in manufacturing is helping to bring down unemployment rates. Wisconsin has the tightest labor market, with unemployment averaging 2.9%. Indiana and Minnesota have unemployment rates around 3.0%, while Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan still have elevated unemployment rates upwards of 4.3%.
- Construction spending outlook: An improving manufacturing economy will provide some support to residential spending in the region, which will grow an average of 1.0% per year between 2018 and 2020. Infrastructure will experience the strongest growth at 2.0% per year over the same period.
- Construction employment outlook: Construction employment growth will slow form 4.4% in 2018 to 2.9% in 2019 and 2020. The region will add an average of 34,000 workers per year over the same period.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 3.0% growth between 2018 and 2020. Electricians will experience the strongest growth at 4.0%, followed by welders (3.9%), pipefitters (2.4%), and boilermakers (1.8%). Boilermaker wages are expected to decline slightly in 2018 following robust growth of 4.8% in 2017.
New York/New Jersey
Skilled wage growth in New York/New Jersey will stall in
2018 in response to weakening construction activity. Expect modest
wage growth to resume in 2019.
- Local labor-market conditions: Unemployment rates in New York and New Jersey have moved above the national average, averaging 4.4% and 4.3% in 2018 respectively.
- Construction spending outlook: The construction market is experiencing a downturn due to a heavy correction in residential spending and declining infrastructure activity. Total construction spending will fall an average of 1.1% per year between 2018 and 2020, the worst regional performer. Residential construction activity will be hit the worst, declining an average of 4.1% per year over the same period.
- Construction employment outlook: Employment growth in the construction industry will remain weak, growing only an average of 1.6% per year between 2018 and 2020. The region will add only 9,000 jobs per year, a surprisingly weak number given the region's size.
- Skilled wage outlook: Skilled wages will average 2.7% growth between 2018 and 2020. Welders will experience the strongest wage growth, at 3.1%. Boilermakers will experience 2.8% annual growth over the same period followed by pipefitters (2.5%) and electricians (2.4%).
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