Earnings for US construction workers now outstrip the private sector average as contractors face what’s being called one of the tightest labour markets they’ve ever experienced.
The situation has led a contractors’ group there to slam an education system that produces “too many over-qualified baristas and not enough bricklayers” as employers are forced to increase pay to attract skilled workers from a diminishing pool.
— Global Construction Review
Global Construction Review reports on the recent response by the Associated General Contractors of America to June's construction jobs numbers, which signaled a continued struggle for the industry to attract enough skilled workers — despite higher-than-average hourly earnings of now $30.73.
"The association urged the federal government to help attract more people into high-paying construction careers by boosting funding for career and technical programs in schools and enacting immigration reform that allows more people with construction skills to legally enter the country," writes GCR.
In a recent statement, AGC’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, pointed out what his organization sees as reason for the now dried-up recruiting pipeline: "The nation’s education system continues to produce too many over-qualified baristas and not enough qualified bricklayers and other craft construction professionals. As a result of these educational imbalances, too many young adults are struggling to pay off college debts while too many construction firms are struggling to fill job positions that pay well and don’t require costly degrees."
Blah...Blah....Blah. Yes skilled tradespeople are super duper valuable and we'll paid. Until ten minutes into the next recession. Then you're kicking rocks. Fuck it. Keep pouring the latte.
-Currently overpaid but undoubtedly soon to be unemployed carpenter of 25 years.
All 11 Comments
"forced to increase pay"
How awful.
higher pay = higher costs = less affordable housing
Did they ever look at how forced union participation and union intimidation of ethnic minorities puts a damper on recruiting into the construction industry?
Did they ever look at how developer profit margins puts a damper on money available for wages in the construction industry?
As if developers build affordable housing, and labor unions did nothing for workers rights.
Quite right on the latter, but plenty of small developers building affordable housing around the country. There's profit there, just not as much as luxury resi.
lol forced union participation that's a rich one
"plenty of small developers building affordable housing" citation please
sure, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fQ04-Y-Oc&
Most affordable housing is built by developers... LIHTC... ever hear of them. Almost all developer led. Greedy developers are just trying to make a buck like anyone else. Government is fuckin' up the works. Because they know best....
https://psmag.com/economics/single-family-housing-is-ore-gone
I thought we were 3d printing buildings now and just need robots. Arch school was wrong!
Ive been in construction for 14 years and no one will higher me at 26 hr let alone 30hr.
Big difference between what you are paid and what you are billed out at.
Seems rediculous to say the least. There are plenty of qualified workers, the problem is there are isn't enough work. Where are all these so called high paying jobs. The highly skilled higher paying job boards are empty. The recruiting companines are flying around like vultures in a dying market, they must be talking about the low level paid labor jobs. There aren't that many good paying Bricklayer jobs or high paying construction jobs anywhere anymore.
"As a result of these educational imbalances, too many young adults are struggling to pay off college debts while too many construction firms are struggling to fill job positions that pay well and don’t require costly degrees."
Pay a better wage and they'll gravitate back. A low 5 figure starting salary is NOT a well paid salary! Get out of the 20th century mentality before you/we lose all our "young adults" to FAANG companies. Try learning from how they retain talent!
Archinect - Why didn't you capture the other side of the story? Where are all the "young baristas" going and why?
If you started in construction at a 6 figure salary, which is what you seem to be insinuating, cost of housing would quadruple. Stacking bricks is still stacking bricks.
Skilled laborers are going out on their own as independent contractors doing the same work for much more money.
Most construction jobs pay between $15-$25. Very few pay $30 or more.
Blah...Blah....Blah. Yes skilled tradespeople are super duper valuable and we'll paid. Until ten minutes into the next recession. Then you're kicking rocks. Fuck it. Keep pouring the latte.
-Currently overpaid but undoubtedly soon to be unemployed carpenter of 25 years.
Plenty of overpaid hacks in Denver calling themselves tradesmen.
Per/hour wage not billing rate
$15/hr - start at McDonalds
$20/hr = illegal
$25/hr = noob
$30/hr = legal immigrant w/some experience
$35/hr = journeyman
$40/hr = English speaking native journeyman
$50/hr = Residential Superintendent
$60/hr = Residential PM
Minimum household salary required to live a comfortable middle class life with good schools = $150,000
You should join a Union. Union Journeyman Carpenter wage in SF Bay Area is $50/hr right now. Plumbers, electricians, and elevator guys all make much more. After working on the union side I would never go back to non-union. It’s night and day difference.
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