As the construction sector in California, Hawaii, and Western Nevada experiences a 4.4 percent surge in job creation, outpacing the region’s 1.4 percent job growth in other sectors, the broader picture reveals a labor market stretched uncomfortably thin. Infrastructure projects alone are bringing a staggering $32.7 billion to the region’s contractors. That work requires the availability of experienced, skilled professionals. Labor has become a scarce commodity in these states, with the labor force still 1.3 percent lower than at the start of the pandemic.

The implications of a robust sector expansion are multifaceted in a landscape where skilled workers are increasingly hard to come by. While the heightened demand for construction services signals a thriving industry, it simultaneously drives wages upward and intensifies hiring competition, straining project budgets and completion timelines. The construction industry is growing at a 3 percent faster rate than other industries, which could signal even more competition for the relatively small number of skilled workers.

Although buoyed by a sturdy final quarter, the national construction industry experienced a slight dip in spending, with a mere 1 percent increase over the full year. After factoring in inflation, this suggests a decline in real dollar investment. It is a potent example of the selective pressures bearing down on various construction market segments and further shades otherwise encouraging data on the local region.

In Marcum’s most recent construction survey analyzing Q4 of 2023, the Commercial Construction Index, Marcum Chief Construction Economist Anirban Basu suggested that price escalations have leveled off to offer some relief, particularly in the later parts of the year. Yet, despite these tailwinds, including global supply chain improvements and a reduction in global demand, commodity prices persist at levels approximately 38 percent higher than those seen at the pandemic's outset.

The urgency to attract and retain skilled labor necessitates inventive hiring strategies, as seen in the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey analysis by Marcum LLP's National Construction Services Group. For contractors, that means doubling down on workforce development, apprenticeships, and community engagement efforts to entice the next generation into the trades while further developing the existing workforce.

While all eyes remain fixed on the Federal Reserve's monetary policies, the future hinges on a number of factors beyond the Fed’s moves. Marcum’s survey of the industry reveals that industry leaders feel the need to stay alert and flexible in response to economic changes to sustain momentum and navigate through any forthcoming uncertainty.

In California, Hawaii, and Western Nevada, the construction industry stands at a crossroads marked by a workforce deficit juxtaposed with enviable growth figures. Dedicated efforts to cultivate a sturdy workforce, embrace innovative recruitment methods, and remain nimble amid economic flux could steer the regional industry toward prosperity. However, confronting the workforce challenge directly remains a priority for the industry's medium and long-term prospects.

Joseph Natarelli is the Office Managing Partner for Marcum LLP’s New Haven, Connecticut, office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. A specialist in accounting for construction contractors, Natarelli also serves as National Leader of Marcum’s Construction Services practice, overseeing audit, consulting, and taxation services to construction clients ranging from start-ups to multi-billion-dollar international enterprises.

He has extensive experience advising on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. He has served as a Technical Reviewer for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) construction audit and taxation guides for more than two decades and chaired the AICPA National Construction Program Conference Committee from 2012 to 2014.