Needs Fuel 2018 Wage Gains But Firms Wary of the Future

摘要

Despite continued claims of labor shortages around the U.S., average wage and fringe rates remain on a relatively steady path. While craftworkers overall are not seeing big jumps in hourly wages and benefits, specific high-demand trades are gaining significant increases, particularly in hot metro markets. An August survey of 2,500 construction firms by Autodesk and Associated General Contractors found 80% of respondents reporting difficulty filling hourly craft positions, with 62% noting higher base-pay rates. Firms say the five toughest craft jobs to fill are pipelayers, sheet-metal workers, carpenters, concrete workers and pipefitter-welders.