News release

Kansas City and Springfield regions rank in top 10 nationwide for construction jobs added in 2020

While more than half of the nation’s metro areas saw a decline in construction jobs since October 2019, both the Kansas City and Springfield regions saw construction employment increases large enough to land them in the top 10 out of 358 metro areas nationwide.

Only 30% of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs in the past year, according to an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released Wednesday. Association officials said construction employment in most parts of the country was being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses and local governments curtail planned construction projects.

Construction employment is strong in Springfield and Kansas City

However, construction employment in the Kansas City, Missouri metro increased 12% (gain of 3,700 jobs) over the 12-month measurement period, which ties the metro for ninth overall in job-gain percentage. Construction employment in the Springfield, Missouri region increased 15% (gain of 1,400 jobs) since October 2019, which ties the area for fourth in job-gain percentage.

In real numbers, the Kansas City area ranks third in the nation for jobs added, only behind Dallas-Plano-Irving (7,100 jobs gained) and Seattle-Bellevue-Everett (4,700 jobs gained).

“There are several factors contributing to the strong employment numbers in our area,” Don Greenwell, president of The Builders’ Association, said. “Top among them are the thousands of jobs the KCI new airport terminal project has added and the work our industry did to collaborate with local leaders on quickly ensuring construction was designated an essential industry when the pandemic hit.”

Keeping the construction industry mobilized throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has proven necessary to meeting the needs of local communities and the economy. Construction workers have built, maintained and repaired critical infrastructure, health facilities and data centers, among other projects.

The Kansas City International Airport Single Terminal is a $1.5 billion project, and the largest single infrastructure project in the city’s history. With funding approved and work started prior to the pandemic, work was able to continue on the terminal, while projects across the nation were postponed or canceled as businesses and local government finances were devastated.

At the end of October, 600 workers were on site at the airport terminal project, and in total, the project is expected to create about 5,000 jobs. The project is estimated for completion in 2023.

National outlook not so rosy

Construction employment fell in 209, or 58%, of metro areas between October 2019 and October 2020. Construction employment was stagnant in 40 other metro areas, meanwhile, and only 109 metro areas—30%—added construction jobs during the past year.

Greenwell noted the best way to curtail future construction job losses and continue the region’s strong employment numbers is for Congress to pass new federal coronavirus relief measures, including new infrastructure investments.

View the metro employment 12-month data, rankings, top 10, new highs and lows and map.

About the Builders’ Association

Since 1887, The Builders’ Association has been committed to improving people’s lives through construction. Builders’ is a nonprofit trade association on a mission to advance the industry and the broader community. Serving mid-America, the association’s hundreds of member companies employ over 25,000 people. As a catalyst for collaboration, Builders’ connects passionate people and businesses.

About the Kansas City Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America

The association’s sister organization, the Kansas City Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America, currently represents 120 firms in the heartland region and is part of the AGC of America, the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States.

Visit The Builders’ Association online at www.buildersassociation.com and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.