Thousands of Pittsburgh construction jobs were lost during the past year.

The Associated General Contractors of America recently reported that the Pittsburgh area lost 4,700 construction jobs from November 2008 to November 2009. The city received a ranking of 98 for construction employment.

The Pittsburgh area's construction industry employed 54,100 workers during November 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 55,600 workers during October 2009 and an 8 percent decrease from November 2008.

Statewide, Pennsylvania's construction industry has been improving as of late. The industry employed 230,600 workers during November 2009, up from 228,700 workers during October 2009, but a 7 percent decrease from November 2008.

Overall, construction employment declined in 324 of the 337 metropolitan areas throughout the nation, while construction projects decreased by more than $137 billion to a six-year low of $900 billion.

El Centro, Calif., saw the biggest decrease in construction employment, as 36 percent of its jobs were lost. Other cities that saw large declines include: Kokomo, Ind., by 31 percent; Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, Wash., by 28 percent; Reno, Nev., by 28 percent; St. George, Utah, by 27 percent; and Grand Junction, Colo., by 27 percent.

Only six metropolitan areas saw an increase in construction employment, including: Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa., by 12 percent; Tulsa, Okla., by 3 percent; Anderson, Ind., by 6 percent; Columbus, Ind., by 5 percent; Bismarck, N.D., by 3 percent; and Fargo, N.D., by 1 percent.

Of the various construction sectors, developer-financed construction saw the biggest decline in spending, with private lodging investments decreasing by 46 percent; retail, warehouse and farm spending declining by 41 percent; and private office investments decreasing by 39 percent.

Public construction, which benefited from federal stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saw a 2.7 percent increase in spending over the year.

Labels: Pittsburgh construction jobs