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By Kendra Ablaza, Staff Writer

January 29, 2013 - Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reports that the Los Angeles market, along with another 138 metropolitan areas, increased construction employment jobs last year due to growing private sector demand.

The local market experienced a five percent employment increase resulting in 5,700 jobs. Of the metropolitan areas that saw increases, the highest percentage of new construction jobs was recorded in Pascagoula, Mississippi at 42 percent (1,900 jobs), followed by Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, Mass.-N.H. at 22 percent, or 800 jobs.

“Private sector demand for energy, health care, higher education and residential construction is having a positive [influence] in a growing number of metro areas,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, construction employment in almost as many metro areas appears to be suffering from declining public sector demand and a private sector market that is still well-below peak levels.”

Out of the reported 337 metropolitan areas, construction employment declined in 131 metropolitan areas and was stagnant in 65 areas.