June Construction Hiring Snapshot for Major West Coast Cities
Construction hiring on the West Coast typically sees heightened activity due to favorable weather conditions, leading to increased demand for skilled professionals across various projects.
TJ Kastning
Seattle
Summary: Seattle’s construction employment has declined by 8% year-over-year, averaging 20,300 workers in early 2025. Despite this, contractor confidence remains cautiously optimistic, with expectations of increased project volumes in 2025. mortenson.comamericanworkforcegroup.net
Portland
Summary: Portland’s construction sector is experiencing mixed signals. While residential demand is sluggish due to interest rates, green infrastructure projects are adding skilled jobs.
San Francisco Bay Area
Summary: San Francisco is preparing to construct its first post-pandemic office tower at 530 Sansome St., aiming to revitalize the downtown core and stimulate economic growth. sfchronicle.com
Los Angeles
Summary: Los Angeles is facing a projected budget shortfall of nearly $1 billion, which could lead to thousands of layoffs and major cuts to city services, potentially impacting the construction industry. theguardian.com
San Diego
Summary: San Diego’s construction sector is transforming to ensure efficiency despite labor shortages, with initiatives like training programs and technology adoption to meet workforce demands. tceconstructors.com
Regional Economic Context
- Inflation: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the West Region rose 0.3% in May, with a 2.4% increase over the past year. bls.gov+1fred.stlouisfed.org+1
- Employment: Nationally, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May, with construction adding 4,000 jobs. bls.gov
- Unemployment: The unemployment rate among workers with recent construction experience fell to 3.5% in May, down from 3.9% a year earlier. agc.org
Note: Data reflects the most recent available as of June 30, 2025.
