Cedar Rapids rated fourth nationally in construction job growth

The Cedar Rapids metro area ranked fourth nationally in the percentage of construction employment growth over the year ending in November, despite adding only 500 jobs.

Cedar Rapids area construction employment grew 7 percent from 7,300 in November 2009 to  7,800 in November 2010, according to an analysis provided by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Des Moines area construction employment grew 2 percent, from 13,400 to 13,700. That was enough to rank 48th nationally.

The number of construction jobs in Iowa increased from 66,500 to 67,300 over the same period.

Employment in construction is improving slightly due in large part to federal funding for economic stimulus and military construction, the association said. Phoenix added 3,100 jobs, more construction jobs than any of the 70 metro areas that saw growth over the year ending in November.

The Chicago area lost 14,800 construction jobs, 11 percent of its total. That was more than any of the other 21 metro areas where construction employment declined.