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Construction


 Construction recorded the largest percentage increase of all major divisions in Colorado in 1996. It increased by 8.8% or 9,006 jobs on average. Total wages paid to workers in the construction industry totaled $3.32 billion which was an increase of $416 million or 14.33%. The average annual wage was $29,869. In 1989, construction employment averaged 60,138 with an average annual wage of $23,332. Construction comprised 5.93% of employment and 6.21% of wages in 1996 compared with 4.11% and 4.42% respectively in 1989. In Douglas County, total construction employment increased by 528 to 4,015. In 1992 Douglas County averaged 2,069 construction jobs. It should be noted that construction companies are usually coded in the County that their administrative offices are located and not where the work is actually being performed.

 General Building employment increased by 7% over 1995 after a .9% increase the previous year. General Building employment averaged 22,787 in 1996 with an average annual wage of $32,893. Metro Denver accounted for 10,451 of the General Building jobs with an average annual wage of $36,659. This was an increase of 603 jobs from the previous year. General Building Contractors specializing in Residential Buildings posted an increase of 8.8% from the previous year with an average employment level of 12,160. Metro Denver accounted for 4,598 of the Residential Construction Jobs.

 Heavy Construction employment increased by 4.3% over 1995 after a .4% increase the previous year. Heavy Construction employment averaged 13,885 in 1996 with an average annual wage of $36,305. Metro Denver accounted for 10,451 of these jobs.

 Special Trade employment increased by 10.3% or 6,914 jobs over 1995 after a 7.6% increase the previous year. Special Trade employment averaged 74,392 in 1996 with an average annual wage of $27,741. Metro Denver accounted for 40,538 of the jobs. This was an increase of 3,291 jobs from the prior year.

 Construction employment has continued to expand throughout the decade and it is not isolated to one particular region of the state. It is buoyed by population growth, a strong national economy and reasonable interest rates. The strength of the construction industry is reflected in job growth in related SIC’s including Landscape and Agriculture Services (07), Real Estate (65) and Lumber and other Construction Materials, Wholesale (503).



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 19921993199419951996
Average Employment74,69885,90697,018102,058111,064
Total Wages$1,974,662,857$2,375,343,873$2,711,864,834$2,901,606,423$3,317,354,874
Percent of Total Emp.4.73%5.19%5.58%5.63%5.93%
Percent of Total Wages4.99%5.59%5.96%5.90%6.21%