Survey: Arizona Contractors To Hire More In 2016

Published: Wednesday, January 6, 2016 - 2:13pm
Updated: Thursday, January 7, 2016 - 10:10am

A new survey finds 83 percent of construction firms that do most of their business in Arizona plan to add employees this year. Of those, 42 percent say it will become harder to find qualified construction professionals.

Every year, The Associated General Contractors of America surveys its members and releases a construction outlook. Nationally, the group finds 71 percent of construction firms plan to increase staff in 2016.

Results for Arizona’s outlook are based on results from 20 respondents who listed Arizona as their primary business location. Other Arizona highlights include:

  • 36 percent say they have a hard time filling both salaried (project manager, estimator, etc.) and craft (carpenter, laborer, etc.) positions.
  • 67 have increased base pay to recruit or retain workers.
  • 17 percent have increased contributions and/or improved employee benefits.
  • 58 percent list worker quality among their biggest concerns.
  • 50 percent list increased competition for projects among their biggest concerns.
  • 50 percent list lack of infrastructure investments among their biggest concerns.
  • 75 percent expect the cost of providing health care insurance for employees to increase this year.
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