Houston tops all metro areas with new construction jobs in 2018, report says

PHOTOS: Classic Houston construction scenes The construction industry continues to add jobs as the Houston and Texas economies continue to grow. >>> See how Houston was built with classic construction photos less PHOTOS: Classic Houston construction scenes The construction industry continues to add jobs as the Houston and Texas economies continue to grow. >>> See how Houston was built with classic ... more Photo: Seth Perlman, STF / AP Photo: Seth Perlman, STF / AP Image 1 of / 201 Caption Close Houston tops all metro areas with new construction jobs in 2018, report says 1 / 201 Back to Gallery

If you're looking for work, there are few better places to be now than Houston.

The overall economy is up with an increasing population, a rising average income level, record home sales and fast-paced job growth. So it shouldn't be a big surprise that Houston added more construction jobs over the last year than any other large metro area with 24,000 — an 11 percent increase from November 2017 to November 2018, according to The Associated General Contractors of America.

The Houston Chronicle has previously reported on the construction job growth in the area this year. Patrick Jankoswki, senior vice president of research for the Greater Houston Partnership, recently told the paper that construction is picking up in the chemical plant sector and remaining strong in the industrial and retail sectors.

"Construction jobs tend to pay well, and they're one of the fundamentals which drives our growth," Jankowski said.

More notable construction projects include a pair of land deals that will bring more than 650 new apartments near the Interstate 10 and Grand Parkway intersection. Apartments also continue to blossom near Buffalo Bayou Park and Montrose.

Houston far outpaced the construction job growth in the second-fastest growing construction sector in Phoenix, Arizona, which recorded 17,500 new jobs from November 2017 to November 2018. Dallas was the next highest with 14,800 jobs in that time.

Out of 358 metro areas, only 45 saw a decline in construction employment. Those areas include St Louis, Baltimore and Laredo.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message